are we attacking venezuela

The United States has just carried out limited military strikes inside Venezuela, so yes , there is active U.S. military action against Venezuela right now, but it is not (at this point) a full-scale ground invasion or declared war.

What actually happened

• In the early hours of 3 January 2026, U.S. forces launched airstrikes on multiple targets in and around Caracas and northern Venezuela, an operation publicly framed as going after the Maduro government and “terrorist” or criminal networks.

• The operation has reportedly included:
  • Strikes on military facilities and infrastructure near Caracas and other northern states.

* A special operation in which Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and taken into U.S. custody, according to U.S. officials and major outlets.

How big is this “attack”?

• Descriptions so far point to:
  • A concentrated series of air and possibly missile strikes lasting a short period (tens of minutes to hours), not days of continuous bombing.

* A preceding military buildup: carrier groups, naval quarantine, interdiction of oil tankers, and earlier strikes on boats and port facilities in recent months, showing this was a planned escalation rather than a sudden one.

• There is no public indication yet of:
  • A large-scale ground invasion with tens of thousands of troops.
  • A formal U.S. declaration of war on Venezuela.
    Current reports instead describe targeted strikes and raids aimed at regime change and capturing Maduro.

How Venezuela and others are reacting

• The Venezuelan government has:
  • Declared a national state of emergency and described the U.S. actions as “extremely serious military aggression” and “imperialist aggression.”

* Claimed that both civilian and military sites in several regions were hit and called for urgent action at the UN Security Council.

• International organizations and regional observers are warning that:
  • This sets a dangerous precedent for unilateral regime-change operations and may violate both U.S. constitutional limits on war powers and international law, including the UN Charter’s self-defense rules.

What this means for ordinary people

• Inside Venezuela:
  • People in and around Caracas and northern states are facing fear, uncertainty, and potential disruptions to power, communications, and transport where facilities were hit.

* Casualty numbers and full damage assessments are still unclear, and both the Venezuelan government and U.S. officials are releasing partial and sometimes conflicting details.

• In the U.S. and regionally:
  • Expect fast-moving political debate over whether the president had legal authority for the strikes and fears of wider conflict or insurgency-style retaliation in the region.

If you’re feeling anxious

Geopolitical news like this can be very stressful, especially with talk of “attacks” and “war.” If you feel overwhelmed:

• Limit constant doom-scrolling and check a few trusted outlets a couple of times a day instead of every minute.
• Talk things through with friends or family; sharing concerns can reduce anxiety.
• If you are in or near the affected region, follow local official guidance and trusted humanitarian channels for safety information.