GUARDIAN Jan 3rd 2026

Explosions reported in Caracas
Venezuela accuses US over attacks
Venezuela accuses US of trying to 'seize control' of country's resources
Venezuela’s government urges its citizens to rise up against apparent US assault
Venezuela defence minister says country will resist presence of foreign troops
Trump describes US attack on Venezuela as a 'brilliant operation'
Trinidad and Tobago 'not a participant in ongoing military operations' in Venezuela, says PM
Colombian president urges meeting of UN security council over strike against Venezuela
Maduro to stand trial in US, senator says
Starmer says UK not involved and he believes 'we should all uphold international law'
Aircraft fly low over Caracas as explosions hit Venezuelan capital
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has reacted to Donald Trump’s military action in Venezuela saying: “The UK was not involved in any way in this operation.”

INDEPENDENT Jan 3rd 2026

Explosions and low-flying aircraft are heard in Venezuela's capital
Explosions come amid heightened US-Venezuelan tensions
Venezuela blames Trump for strikes as huge explosions heard in capital
Where has US been accused of attacking? 
TV broadcast in Venezuela as loud noises heard amid US tensions
US carrying out strikes in Venezuela, US official says 
Venezuela shaken by series of explosions in capital Caracas
Iran condemns attack on Venezuela
Trump says Venezuela president 'captured' after strikes
Flight radar shows no planes over Venezuela as explosions rock nation after US strikes
Russia condemns US 'act of armed aggression'
Plumes of smoke and fire seen after US strikes on Venezuela
Trump calls military operation 'brilliant'

RTE Jan 3rd 2026

Venezuelan government does not know whereabouts of Maduro, wife - vice president
US senator says Rubio told him Maduro arrested to stand trial in US
Venezuela accuses US of bombing residential areas
Venezuela's oil refining suffered no damage from attacks […]two sources with knowledge of the operations of energy company PDVSA said.
Mexico's left-wing government condemns US strikes on Venezuela

IRISH TIMES Jan 3rd 2026

Who is Nicolás Maduro?
Nicolás Maduro was born into a working-class family on November 23, 1962, son of a trade union leader. He worked as a bus driver during the time army officer Chavez led a failed coup attempt in 1992.
He campaigned for Mr Chavez’s release from prison ⁠and became a fervent supporter of his leftist agenda. He won a seat ​the legislature Mr Chavez’s 1998 election. He rose to become president of the National Assembly and then foreign minister, travelling the globe to build international alliances through oil-financed assistance programmes. Mr Chavez named him as ⁠his hand-picked successor and Mr Maduro was narrowly elected president in 2013 following his ⁠death.
His administration oversaw a spectacular ⁠economic collapse characterised by hyperinflation and chronic shortages. His rule became best known for allegedly rigged elections, food shortages and rights abuses, including harsh crackdowns on protests in 2014 and 2017. Millions of Venezuelans emigrated abroad. His government was subject to aggressive sanctions by the US and other powers. In 2020 Washington indicted him on corruption and other charges. Mr Maduro rejected the accusations. 
He was sworn in for a third term in January 2025 following a 2024 election that was widely by international observers ​and the opposition as fraudulent. Thousands of people who protested the government’s declaration of victory were jailed.  A UN fact-finding mission found last month the country’s Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) committed serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity over ⁠more than a decade in targeting political opponents, often with impunity. His government’s repressive measures were highlighted by the award of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.