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What's next in Venezuela?

Monika Jones
January 3, 2026

In Caracas, residents reported fear over what may come next after blasts were heard 2 a.m. local time. Expert Ivo Hernandez explains the region's looming transition — and the plan behind Washington's extraordinary move.

https://p.dw.com/p/56GVB

Donald Trump confirmed that the United States had carried out a "large-scale strike" on the Venezuelan capital at around 2 a.m. on Saturday (7 a.m. CET).

The escalation follows Washington's first known strike on Venezuelan territory in recent days, amid months of ratcheted-up pressure by Trump on Nicolas Maduro to step down.

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