BACN07 (22-9047) back online and heading north, same one as earlier today
#US military activities in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Pacific
warm heath
midnight dirge
TWZ article on the E-3 Sentry (GRNCH01) broadcasting yesterday, with platform overview (link).
Notable escalation in strike frequency: Airwars tracker (link) shows three strikes in past week (highlighted) after a month-long period with only one incident.
Timeline context: On 18 December, Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-MS) concluded committee oversight of the September 2 "double-tap" strike that killed two surviors, stating he saw "no evidence of war crimes" and was "satisfied" with Pentagon briefings. House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-AL) made similar statements last week.
Source: Politico (link)
hoary laurel
Trump's response to NBC seems somewhat consistent with the recent POLITICO interview on not ruling out in getting into a military conflict/war/or whatever this is
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-not-ruling-war-venezuela-rcna250012
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is leaving the possibility of a war with Venezuela on the table.
"I don’t rule it out, no," he told NBC News in a phone interview.
...
In his phone interview, Trump said "I don't discuss it" when he is asked whether he rules out the possibility that such actions could lead to war.But when he was pressed, he confirmed it was a possibility and said there will be additional seizures of oil tankers. Asked for a timeline, Trump replied: "It depends. If they’re foolish enough to be sailing along, they’ll be sailing along back into one of our harbors."
Trump also declined to say whether ousting Maduro was his ultimate goal.
"He knows exactly what I want," Trump replied. "He knows better than anybody."
Trump's admission that he's not ruling out a war with Venezuela is significant. He has long tried to distinguish himself from the hawkish wing of the Republican Party, and in 2024, he campaigned on being able to keep the U.S. out of foreign conflicts.
steady elk
Nothing so far on FR24
The BATs are returning to the belfry
This guy too
I found this yesterday which is an interesting read
steady elk
As an aside, a few weeks back I saw two AT-802U Sky Tractors mentioned towards the end of that article fly out of Barbados heading towards the coast before dropping signal.
warm heath
Anyone have any guesses on VENEZUEL? Rockwell 690A Turbo Commander, Reg YV1758. I've been assuming it's Venezuelan navy due to the callsign and model apparently being used by them. It was between Gran Roque and Caracas earlier today, where the F18s were yesterday
glad sun
https://x.com/AirAssets/status/2002054703685959951 airwing departed Langley
sacred lantern
Anyone have any guesses on VENEZUEL? Rockwell 690A Turbo Commander, Reg YV1758. ...
I noticed it the other day, no idea
placid orchid
Here it is said to be operated by "Corporacion 690 C.A." https://www.planelogger.com/Aircraft/Registration/YV1758/603477
steady elk
Here it is said to be operated by "Corporacion 690 C.A." https://www.planelogger...
Yeah that's right "appears to be a very small, little‑documented Venezuelan air operator" according to Perplexity with no "obvious" government links
Any ideas what this is?
I've heard some chatter it might be a Pegasus but I dunno.
Keeping an eye on the 3 x B52s that are up over Louisiana..... maybe another show of force, maybe just training runs
steady elk
Unusually quiet at the moment considering the past weeks activity 
sacred lantern
Yupppp not a blip today
steady elk
Grumman C-2 Greyhound inbound to PR
warm heath
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/us/politics/frank-donovan-southern-command-trump.html (https://archive.is/4zziz) - Trump Picks New Leader for Southern Command as Venezuela Pressure Grows
sacred lantern
Bluesky
midnight dirge
US DHS Secretary posts video of the latest tanker interdiction (link)
The tanker is reportedly the Panama flagged CENTURIES (IMO: 9206310)
MarineTraffic (link)
The vessel is not under OFAC sanctions.
fierce jacinth
Form the video it looks like the vessel is already loaded
sacred lantern
Loaded in what sense? Loaded with oil?
fierce jacinth
You can see on the load line
This is unloaded
This is loaded
and yes with oil
sacred lantern
Right
steady elk
BAT pattern from earlier today
hasty bloom
Here is the full tweet from Sal
Hmm, this series of tweets from Tanker Trackers is interesting
https://fixupx.com/TankerTrackers/status/2002497943811563795?s=20
https://fixupx.com/TankerTrackers/status/2002503251070259609?s=20
midnight dirge
"the low angle of the morning sun and direction implies that CENTURIES was facing East-by-Southeast in the Atlantic Ocean"
How does the low angle of the sun and the direction resolve to the Atlantic Ocean?
hoary laurel
midnight dirge
The vessel of interest is likely the BELLA 1 (IMO: 9230880), sanctioned in June 2024 (link)
OFAC SDN Update for BELLA 1 (link)
According to Equasis, it's flag registration is unknown as of November 2024. The owner/manager is based in Turkey.
midnight dirge
Reports of BELLA 1 transmitting distress alerts link)
Looking for corroboration.
A Reuter's repot says that the US is pursuing the tanker (link)
midnight dirge
The NYT has a helpful clarification regarding yesterday's interdiction of the CENTURIES (link)
It was unclear how long the United States intended to detain the Centuries. The U.S. official who confirmed the boarding of the ship said that American authorities did not have a seizure warrant to take possession of it, as they did when they seized another tanker earlier this month that was carrying Venezuelan oil.
Archive (link).
weak ibex
Curious where this guy is headed (Panama?)
There is also a Hercules off of Florida doing...this
sacred lantern
What kindd plane was this?>
midnight dirge
A Trinidad and Tobago news outlet reports that the port city of Guiria, Venezuela, has become an increasingly important staging point as traffickers adapt to US counter-narcotics efforts. (link).
steady elk
What kindd plane was this?>
I think it may have been USCG.
There were a couple of their aircraft up in the same vicinity a couple of hours back but I didn't pay too much attention.
steady elk
A Trinidad and Tobago news outlet reports that the port city of Guiria, Venezuel...
Might explain a couple of the BATs being moved to T&T from Panama
sacred lantern
thanks!
verbal tangle
Ahhhh there you go....CASA HC-144B Ocean Sentry
was this today?
https://x.com/AeroNoticiasVE/status/2002543909851852809
Because they did a similar search pattern in the same spot yesterday too apparently
X
steady elk
was this today?
Yes mate
verbal tangle
weird, thank you!
sand leaf
weird, thank you!
There's a couple of fisherman missing off the Florida coast so its probably the search and rescue flights.
https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2025/12/21/missing-florida-boaters-update-coast-guard-continues-air-sea-search/87877751007/
verbal tangle
15.42723, -64.21946 (Sentinel 2 -- 21 December 2025)
@sacred lantern figured you'd wanna know 😉
weak ibex
What kindd plane was this?>
actually this one also was a Hercules (it was accompanied by the HC 144B that @steady elk mentioned)
But yeah as as their callsign started with "RES" I assume it could be the rescue flight @sand leaf mentioned
midnight dirge
There's an announcement scheduled for later today on the US Secretary of State's schedule (link).. No subject has been specified.
4:30 p.m. Secretary Rubio attends President Trump’s announcement with the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy in Palm Beach, Florida.
glad python
There's an announcement scheduled for later today on the US Secretary of State's...
Possibly related, though not sure why Rubio would be present: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/trump-hegseth-new-warship-the-battleship-63367854?utm_social_handle_id=did%3Aplc%3Ai3fhjvvkbmirhyu4aeihhrnv&utm_social_post_id=630709610
President Trump will announce on Monday a new fleet of large warships he is calling “battleships,” according to a U.S. official and another official familiar with the discussions, marking a step toward achieving the president’s vision for a new “Golden Fleet.”
sacred lantern
Why is "battleships" in quotation makes like he's the one who invented that word
Oh I guess it means
"Trump is announcing a new class of large ships. He's calling them "battleships", but his brain is a garbage bag full of mashed potatoes, so they may not actually be battleships"
coarse goblet
"Yuge biotiful golden ship" made him happy and approving, but not related to the buildup against Venezuela.
I'm already imagining a gold-plated model on his desk
fierce jacinth
USS Donald J. Trump
summer sparrow
The press conference is a few hours away, which hopefully will address the question, but it's likely that what Trump is calling "battleships" are the frigates that'll replace the Constellation-class program that was canceled last month:
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-12-19/navy-new-frigate-from-cutter-design-20147533.html
midnight dirge
The press conference is a few hours away, which hopefully will address the quest...
He's spoken about bringing back a large surface warfare class of some sort:
I think we should maybe start thinking about battleships, by the way. You know, we have – Secretary of the Navy came to me – because I look at the Iowa out in California and I look at different ships in the old pictures… Some people would say, no, that’s old technology. I don’t know. I don’t think it’s old technology when you look at those guns, but it’s something we’re actually considering, the concept of battleship, nice six-inch size, solid steel, not aluminum, aluminum that melts if it looks at a missile coming at it… Now those ships, they don’t make them that way anymore… But I tell you, it’s something we’re seriously considering.
glad sun
https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-tankers-shipbuilding-3c711c500a627243329807df42fa6ef8 Russian diplomats families being allegedly evacuated from Caracas
fierce jacinth
They can't even build some frigates
ruby heart
They can't even build some frigates
Hi there! We work with facts and sources here, not opinions. Can you explain who 'they' is and link to some documentation about why they couldn't build frigates?
steady elk
The Navy is being rebadged to the "Department of Battleships"
fierce jacinth
Hi there! We work with facts and sources here, not opinions. Can you explain who...
Hi, you are correct sorry about that, the US have canceled there Constellation-class frigates program and will only build 2 vessels form that class and cut the rest. The reason is budget overruns and delays(https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-12-19/navy-new-frigate-from-cutter-design-20147533.html, https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-11-26/navy-ships-constellation-class-frigates-19894993.html
warm heath
“Trump is announcing a new class of Navy ships that he is describing as “battleships.” He said he expects the U.S. government to acquire 25 of the new vessels that are expected to be called Trump-class battleships” - NYT
midnight dirge
▶️ Can I suggest that we move discussion and analysis of US shipbuilding initiatives to #maritime and return the focus of this space to #1413617230838501458 ?
hasty bloom
Regarding that, that's a Search and Rescue flight.
https://www.winknews.com/news/lee/southwest-florida-community-rallies-in-search-for-missing-fishermen/article_56028cf6-5b3d-4962-aefa-fc3c2e969b1a.html
steady elk
....incoming callsign change to SPOOF91
fierce jacinth
In this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLBkjOJBME8 form today, Trump states that the U.S will keep the 1.9 million barrels of oil that was seized december 10th . They will also keep the vessel that was seized. 27:55 to 28:19
midnight dirge
Updated SOUTHCOM assets visualization from Ian Ellis (link).
Interesting editorial choice by DVIDS (link)
A U.S. Sailor removes a protective cover from an AGM-154 joint standoff weapon in a weapons magazine aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Dec. 17, 2025.
A U.S. Sailor uses a forklift to move an AGM-154 joint standoff weapon case in a weapons magazine aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Dec. 17, 2025.
Defense analyst Guy Plopsky identifies the ordnance as a AGM-154-C (link).
He also spotted a AGM-154C-1 (link).
X
From a photo posted on the 16th (link).
Rather strong messaging.
steady elk
verbal tangle
This is a super useful guide for listening to civilian air traffic control near Venezuela for USAF/USN aircraft https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxfvZveWntM
(San Juan air traffic control)
midnight dirge
Helpful note by dark fleet specialist Michelle Wise Bockmann (Windward AI, formerly Lloyd's List Intelligence) on Saturday's detention of CENTURIES (IMO: 9206310) by the US Coast Guard (link).
tl;dr Panama appears to have coordinated with the US, expediting the revocation of the vessels' flag registration, which cleared the way for boarding.
The implications for the shadow fleet servicing Venezuela are pretty significant:
If [a] tanker deploys deceptive shipping practices (and most are), and is flagged in a jurisdiction that will cooperate with the US (and most will) then once on the high seas, they could find themselves flagless...and vulnerable.
glad python
Bit of news from WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-moves-troops-and-additional-special-operations-aircraft-into-caribbean-bb8167c6
seems to be the relevant bit here:
“At least 10 CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, which are used by special-operations forces, flew into the region Monday night from Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, according to an official. C-17 cargo aircraft from Fort Stewart and Fort Campbell Army bases arrived Monday in Puerto Rico, according to flight tracking data. A different U.S. official confirmed that military personnel and equipment were transported on planes.
It isn’t clear what types of troops and equipment the aircraft were transporting. Cannon is home to the 27th Special Operations Wing, while the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, an elite U.S. special operations unit, and the 101st Airborne Division are based at Fort Campbell. The first battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment is based at Hunter Army Airfield, at Fort Stewart.”
verbal tangle
Shoutout to @cobalt flower for helping me find the location of the UNREP here
steady elk
X
midnight dirge
EA-18G Growler armed with AGM-88 HARM (yellow band indicates high explosive warhead), photographed at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico today by Ricardo Arduengo (link).
midnight dirge
TWZ overview of US special operations air assets deployed in the theater:
"CV-22B Osprey, MC-130J Commando II Special Ops Aircraft Deploy To Puerto Rico," TWZ, December 23, 2025 (link).
midnight dirge
Visual and ATC audio of an additional MQ-9 operating out of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, via @r4streando and @MichaelBonet8 on X (link).
MC-130Js also spotted (link)
Mission
The Commando II flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multiship, low-level infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces, by airdrop or airland and air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night to reduce probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats. Its secondary mission includes the airdrop of leaflets.
Fact Sheet: USAF (link)
midnight dirge
White House orders US military to focus on economic pressure of Venezuela for at least the next two months.
Source: Reuters (link)
Also, "Exclusive: US Coast Guard lacks forces to seize Venezuela-linked tanker for now"
Source: Reuters (link)
steady elk
Visual and ATC audio of an additional MQ-9 operating out of Aguadilla, Puerto Ri...
Current tail numbers that are known to be operating out of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
https://x.com/LatAmMilMVMTs/status/2003928357969571937/photo/1
X
steady elk
Visual and ATC audio of an additional MQ-9 operating out of Aguadilla, Puerto Ri...
That is a pretty spicy loadout 👀
midnight dirge
Quite the Sentinel Spot 24 December (13.35894, -66.28738)
US Amphibious Readiness Group with Special Ops mothership 325 kilometers north of Caracas.
H/T @SA_Defensa (link)
X
Copernics Browser (link)
midnight dirge
AWACS (76-1605) currently headed towards Puerto Rico
midnight dirge
verbal tangle
midnight dirge
Big Safari (N991HA) appears to be over Venezuelan airspace (link)
Edited to add: may be an error with FR24
surreal mantle
some background on the oil nationalisation https://www.caracaschronicles.com/2025/12/26/the-theft-that-never-was-inside-venezuelas-1976-oil-takeover/
steady elk
Big Safari (N991HA) appears to be over Venezuelan airspace [(link)](https://www....
It was spoofed a couple of days back on the same track
hoary laurel
hoary laurel
this is a pretty big deal to casually say on a radio show of all places
https://bskye.app/profile/shipwreck75.bsky.social/post/3mb2znyjmys24
timestamp: starting around 8:27 on The Cats & Cosby Show | 12-26-25
https://wabcradio.com/show/cats-cosby-john-catsimatidis-rita-cosby/
weak ibex
wait does he just casually announce there that he US have broken article 2 of the UN Charter?
steady elk
From a quick glance, I can't see any reputable news outlet that is covering this at this stage?
The New York Post says that Trump doesn't mention where the strike took place so if it did happen it's not necessarily in Venezuela
https://nypost.com/2025/12/24/us-news/trump-admin-live-updates-dec-24-25-26/
daring helm
X
ruby heart
Source: https://t.me/jhormancruznoticias/71860
UPDATE
A new major explosion was reported from the Industrial Zone of the San Francisco municipality, Zulia state, in the early hours of December 24th.
The flames and smoke, which could be seen from several kilometers away, alarmed people who reported the explosion around 2:15 am.
Although there is still no official version, Jhorman Cruz | News Channel was able to gather that the affected company would be Primazol, a company dedicated to chemical products.
The area was attended by San Francisco Firefighters, who requested the collaboration of their colleagues from Maracaibo due to the magnitude of the incident.
This incident occurred behind the Nasa supermarket, relatively close to the first explosion (Gallo Verde pyrotechnic company) that caused alarm a few weeks ago and left more than 400 families homeless.
Officials are still working in the area.
(5 videos in link)
midnight dirge
Source: <https://t.me/jhormancruznoticias/71860>
>>> UPDATE
A new major explosi...
Venezuelan media reports on the fire/explosion in San Francisco, Zulia State, Venezuela on the 24th:
ruby heart
No cause known and no evidence this was an attack, of course.
midnight dirge
Location of Primazol plant:
Google Maps (link)
27 December Sentinel 2 imagery and recent photos suggest additional MC-130Js at BQN/TJBQ Puerto Rico (link)
MC-130J Fact Sheet (link).
X
midnight dirge
US military air assets deployed across Puerto Rico as of 28 December 2025 - infographic by Ian Ellis (link).
steady elk
X
daring helm
verbal tangle
may be useful for monitoring when/if a major US campaign starts
air traffic control at Oranjestad, Aruba. This link covers 121.5 MHz, the international "GUARD"/emergency frequency
midnight dirge
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/us/politics/trump-drug-facility-venezuela.htm...
I wonder what American officials they talked to (and would have knowledge)
American officials said that Mr. Trump was referring to a drug facility in Venezuela and that it was eliminated, but provided no details. Military officials said they had no information to share, and the Central Intelligence Agency declined to comment. The White House declined to comment.
midnight dirge
Statement by Primazol on Instagram (link) regarding the 24 December fire at one of their facilities.
Key quote:
Primazol rechaza de manera categórica los rumores que circulan en redes tras el incendio que afectó nuestra oficina en Maracaibo. Este evento no tiene ninguna relación con la noticia a lo cual lo asocian.
DeepL translation:
hoary laurel
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-venezuelan-officials-still-mum-trumps-mention-action-against-drug-boat-2025-12-29/
archived: https://archive.ph/6lemV
US, Venezuelan officials still mum on Trump's mention of action against drug boat facility
If Trump's statement is accurate, it would mark the first known U.S. land attack related to the administration’s campaign against Venezuela.
Trump did not say which facility the U.S. had targeted, nor did he make clear if this operation was conducted by a branch of the military or some other entity. Trump has previously said that he has authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela.
The Central Intelligence Agency, the White House and the Pentagon have not publicly elaborated on Trump’s comments and declined to comment on questions posed by Reuters. It is unusual for the administration to decline to address questions related to on-the-record statements made by Trump, especially about Venezuela.
verbal tangle
@sacred lantern here's an audio excerpt from Saturday the 27th at between 8:20-8:25 PM Pacific time of two US military flights flying through PR airspace, one flight of four, one flight of eleven.
pulled from https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/ctid/5659 archive but exact timestamp is hard to discern cuz the recordings cut out dead air and don't keep time synced
hoary laurel
hoary laurel
https://bskye.app/profile/marisakabas.bsky.social/post/3mb332cn5js2i
Ongoing thread that also includes lists of different news outlets reporting on Trump's comments during the radio show
https://tbsky.app/profile/marisakabas.bsky.social/post/3mb332cn5js2i
surreal mantle
https://bsky.app/profile/azintel.bsky.social/post/3mb5iqy6rws2j
The way he's including "well it doesn't matter" I think he could just have gotten the Primazol accident confused with a US strike, this is a guy who tried to pass off a hand drawn sharpie extension to a hurricane prediction rather than admit error.
surreal mantle
We're at five days since the strikes happened and the Primazol explosion seems like the only thing remotely close to a strike, how remote does this secret harbor have to be for no rumours at all to start spreading wildly?
steady elk
BLKCAT6 up off Jacksonville
midnight dirge
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/29/politics/cia-drone-strike-venezuela
It's interesting how "remote dock" in the article's body becomes "port facility" in the headline.
midnight dirge
https://x.com/SA_Defensa/status/2005799625794466206
MT Anderson isn't convinced (link).
X
steady elk
BLKCAT6 tracked south and dropped signal just north of Curacao....
midnight dirge
Sometimes ATC recordings give a smile:
30 December recording from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico - "Are you guys the Ospreys or the AC-130?"
Source: @r4streando / X (link)
midnight dirge
BLKCAT6 tracked south and dropped signal just north of Curacao....
BLKCAT6 (MQ-4C Triton) returning after operating in Maiquetía FIR
midnight dirge
Second Fire reported in Maracaibo industrial zone
Venezuela's El Nacional reports a fire today in the Zulia industrial zone of Maracaibo at Disprolago facilities. This follows last week's Christmas Eve fire at a nearby Primazol facility, which spurred speculation of US involvement after Trump stated on a December 26 radio show that the US "knocked out" a narcotics facility.
No corroborating evidence links either fire to US actions.
The Disprolago fire resulted in no casualties, only property damage. The cause is unknown and under investigation.
Source: "Un nuevo incendio en la Zona Industrial de Maracaibo genera preocupación," El Nacional, 30 December. (link)
ruby heart
Source: <https://t.me/jhormancruznoticias/71860>
>>> UPDATE
A new major explosi...
And remember the reporting after the December 24th explosion mentioned a previous one several weeks before that:
This incident occurred behind the Nasa supermarket, relatively close to the first explosion (Gallo Verde pyrotechnic company) that caused alarm a few weeks ago and left more than 400 families homeless.
midnight dirge
Thanks! I didn't realize that incident was so recent.
ruby heart
It may be a location with lots of dangerous industry, little oversight, there may be a pyromaniac on the loose, pure coincidence... lots of other explanations.
midnight dirge
I was surprised at the number of Latin America social media OSINT accounts that have doubled down on the belief that the only possible cause of the Primazol fire is a US operation.
Perhaps worth filing away if there's ever an update to Bellingcat's "OSHIT: Seven Deadly Sins of Bad Open Source Research" (link).
sacred lantern
yeah I remember when I was covering Venezuela daily, from around 2014 to 2018ish
Industrial accidents are very, very common
The oil and power infrastructure has been in a state of absolute neglect for years and years
midnight dirge
Primazol released a third statement today sharing initial findings and continuing to reject social media speculation:
De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, el incendio se originó como consecuencia de un accidente eléctrico en el sistema de cableado interno de nuestro almacén, específicamente en el área donde se encontraba almacenada resina PET. Esta condición generó el inicio del fuego, el cual se propagó con rapidez debido a la ubicación posterior del foco del incendio dentro del rack de almacenamiento, lo que dificultó significativamente el acceso directo al origen de las llamas
DeepL Machine Translate
According to the results obtained, the fire originated as a result of an electrical accident in the internal wiring system of our warehouse, specifically in the area where PET resin was stored. This condition caused the fire to start, which spread rapidly due to the location of the source of the fire inside the storage rack, which significantly hindered direct access to the source of the flames.
DVIDS published photos of the 12 December delivery of the HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter to Ceiba, Puerto Rico (link).
It was flown in from Japan (link).
steady elk
Has anyone poked around and looked at the spot Michael Cruickshank has been pondering? - 10.5286051, -71.6288098
Fairly low probability I think but worth putting it in the mix of 'possibles'
There's nothing on FIRMS and it appears to be a cement facility
sacred lantern
Has anyone poked around and looked at the spot Michael Cruickshank has been pond...
@sand leaf has been poking around on sat imagery too
shrewd crag
sand leaf
Has anyone poked around and looked at the spot Michael Cruickshank has been pond...
I checked Planet and they have quite a bit of imagery (3m) that covers that area. The discoloration is present in much earlier imagery and just looks like normal changes around those facilities. Both docks look intact as well.
Also worth noting that CNN reported that it was a " remote dock on the Venezuelan coast" and that location isn't too far from Maracaibo city center
steady elk
Also worth noting that CNN reported that it was a " remote dock on the Venezuela...
Thanks for that, I had an inkling that might be the case.
midnight dirge
Also worth noting that CNN reported that it was a " remote dock on the Venezuela...
With that description, I wonder if it could be a staging area in one of Venezuela's many, many islands.
If so, that might explain the apparent lack of witnesses / social media reports.
steady elk
With that description, I wonder if it could be a staging area in one of Venezuel...
Could be. That would add another layer of complexity in moving cargo around and double handling though.
midnight dirge
BELLA 1 (IMO: 9230880), the false flagged tanker that refused to be boarded by the US Coast Guard, continues its getaway - NYT (link).
The Bella 1’s crew members have since painted a Russian flag on the tanker during the escape and are now claiming Russian status, according to the U.S. officials, who were briefed on the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive operation.
The ship also appears to have recently changed its course northwest, away from the Mediterranean Sea, possibly heading toward Greenland or Iceland, the officials said. It is not believed to be carrying cargo.
Archive (link)
midnight dirge
https://archive.is/i3DKd
Quite the scoop by former Bellingcat researcher Christiaan Triebert and his New York Times team. (Christiaan's X Post on the article)
They obtained video filmed from the Colombian shore showing a smoke plume in the Gulf of Venezuela on 6 November. The charred wreckage of a boat and two bodies later washed ashore nearby.
Attached: frame from the 6 November strike video and photo of the charred vessel from the article. The US disclosed three killed in this strike.
If confirmed, this would be the first independent video of the aftermath of a US maritime strike.
Location the video was filmed from and where the wreckage and bodies washed ashore
midnight dirge
BLKCAT5 up out of Jacksonville
BLKCAT5 prowling about off the Yucatán Peninsula
midnight dirge
"MQ-9 Reapers Flying With Unusually Heavy Weapons Loads Over Caribbean," TWZ, 30 December.
midnight dirge
"Iranian Mohajer-6 Drones Now Operating In Venezuela" TWZ, 31 December.
Yesterday, the United States sanctioned individuals and business entities for the procurement of Iranian drone tech for Venezuela. The announcement includes an undated photo of a partially assembled Mohager-2 at El Libertador Air Base.
Source:
"Treasury Targets Iran-Venezuela Weapons Trade", US OFAC, 30 December.
midnight dirge
United States announces new sanctions on four tankers:
🇵🇦 NORD STAR (IMO: 9323596) currently broadcasting AIS in the Gulf of Guinea
🇬🇳 ROSALIND a.k.a. LUNAR TIDE (IMO: 9277735) last AIS broadcast 12 hours ago in the Gulf of Paria
🇭🇰 DELLA (IMO: 9227479) last AIS broadcast 17 hours ago heading southeast in the South Atlantic
🇭🇰 VALIANT (IMO: 9409247) currently broadcasting AIS in the Malacca Strait
Source:
"Treasury Targets Oil Traders Engaged in Sanctions Evasion for Maduro Regime" U.S. Department of the Treasury, 31 December.
Fun fact: Rosalind's owner/manager is Winky International Limited 😉
sand leaf
midnight dirge
What a mess of statement for anyone trying to document/categorize incidents
"@USCG to activate the Search and Rescue system" jumps out as sketchy
On one of the October 27th strikes, the USCG activating the search and rescue system meant calling their counterparts in Mexico and telling them to conduct SAR.
The survivor in that incident was never found
midnight dirge
Minimum deaths from US maritime strikes rises to 109 with 34 vessels targeted since 2 September.
midnight dirge
114 now https://vxtwitter.com/Southcom/status/2006531145844867143?s=20
That's two in a row they're not disclosing whether it took place in the Pacific or Caribbean.
"a lethal kinetic strike on two vessels "
Is it one strike on two vessels (that happened on 27. October)
The video looks like two strikes (on two vessels)
⚠️ first disclosure that doesn't state it occurred in international waters
midnight dirge
8 survivors from yesterday's strike per Reuters National Security Correspondent post on X.
surreal mantle
article which is, despite the title, listing some possible strike events
sand leaf
article which is, despite the title, listing some possible strike events
https...
Remnants of a US Hellfire/JAGM missile
https://www.telemundo51.com/noticias/venezuela/tenemos-miedo-miembros-de-comunidad-indigena-denuncian-gran-explosion-en-venezuela/2734489/
References:
https://osmp.ngo/osmp739/
https://osmp.ngo/model/agm-114-hellfire-agm-179-jagm/
midnight dirge
"Russia Asks United States to Stop Pursuit of Fleeing Oil Tanker," New York Times, 1 January.
midnight dirge
This seems to be a sharp observation in response to @sand leaf 's post on X and Bluesky regarding munition remnants reportedly found at the site of an 18 December explosion on the Venezuelan side of Alta Guajira.
@trujillocorreo X post 1 of 2
@trujillocorreo X post 2 of 2
DeepL machine translation
This is a topic that, specifically in my timeline, I had “avoided,” and not out of disinterest, convenience, or ignorance. Simply because of a lack of conclusive data, and that's all.
- Option A: use of the JAGM-MR model, which allows for an attack at a distance greater than 12 NM.
- Option B: Use of the Hellfire/JAGM, which involves entering the 12 NM airspace since its stated range is around 6 NM.
Option A involves a compromise between current operations and the future.
Option B would be a direct challenge to gauge reactions.
Later in the thread, Yaser also considers the possibility of a launch from the Colombian side (~6 km from the strike location) but rules it out for now.
midnight dirge
BELLA 1 (IMO: 9230880), now reflagged Russia and renamed MARINERA 1, is broadcasting AIS again, per Christiaan Triebert on X link.)
The vessel has been reportedly pursued by the US Coast Guard after refusing boarding on December 21st. On New Years Eve, Russia made a formal diplomatic request that the United States stand down. (Source: #1413617230838501458 message)
X
hoary laurel
unfortunately no comment from Maduro on dock strike
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venezuela-nicolas-maduro-us-talks-drug-trafficking/
karmic gulch
President Gustavo Petro marks a point on a map referring to the attack in which three vessels were involved. He states that the point was identified by the Colombian Naval Force. https://x.com/petrogustavo/status/2007148400530088299?s=46
X
Do these values indicate anything about the actual location of the point, or do they only represent the distance and bearing between two manually selected points on the map? Map length: 384.33 nautical miles
• Ground distance: 384.22 nautical miles
• Direction (bearing): 178.65 degrees
midnight dirge
Do these values indicate anything about the actual location of the point, or do ...
They show the distance between two coordinates. The user either selected them manually in Google Earth or inputted them directly.
By recreating the line with the ruler tool in Google Earth Pro using the same distance in nautical miles and bearing from Puerto Ángel, Mexico (my best estimate of the starting point), one can infer the Pacific endpoint is approximately (9.250, -96.311).
I'm curious as to why Petro's screenshot has pins for ARC Victoria visible in the Gulf of Mexico.
ARC Victoria is a 🇨🇴 offshore patrol vessel currently moored at Cartagena.
sand leaf
https://vxtwitter.com/Southcom/status/2006474817076330557?s=20
vxTwitter / fixvx
karmic gulch
---
I'm curious as to why Petro's screenshot has pins for [ARC Victoria](https:...
That is correct. ARC Victoria is currently moored in Cartagena, not in the Gulf of Mexico. This indicates the screenshot shared by President Petro is inaccurate, reinforcing his recurring lack of precision in the information he posts on social media.
hoary laurel
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for the reported people in the water approximately 400 nautical miles southwest of the Mexico/Guatemala border Friday.
waxen atlas
Seeing a lot of footage out of VZ at the moment too.
toxic ferry
r/combatfootage has a few clips already too
jade notch
It appears very likely that the main target was Fort Tiuna.
toxic ferry
waxen atlas
The higuerote airport as well https://x.com/irie2014/status/2007331692189810702?
X
toxic ferry
Allegedly some chinooks in the air too.
toxic ferry
what
steep raptor
Chinooks are the mh-47s referred to in the post you quoted
Big chunky helicopters meant to move troops and cargo
jade notch
waxen atlas
Looks like el libertador Air Force base hit as well
steep raptor
I'll bow out here, wanted confirmation of the AJE reports and, yeah... Stay safe gang
silk tree
X
jade notch
waxen atlas
Report that they bombed def minister’s home. Omg https://x.com/skynewsarabia_b/status/2007347689701421352?
silk tree
jade notch
https://x.com/petrogustavo/status/2007347473073999942
"Right now they are bombing Caracas. Alert to the whole world, they have attacked Venezuela
They are bombing with missiles.
The OAS and the UN must meet immediately."- Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
silk tree
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTCeBK3jYjJ/
second video on this channel. if you find eye witness videos, pls link
Instagram
olive needle
olive needle
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTCeBK3jYjJ/
second video on this channel. if you fi...
kkinstagram should work for embeds
visual solstice
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/loud-noises-heard-venezuela-capital-south...
do we know what the target was?
timid pawn
I was checking FIRMs for Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base where the coordinates aligned, but the time did not.
Is there any other similar tool that I can use?
Edit: https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#t:tsd;d:today;@-66.862,10.568,12.064z
For folks that want to look themselves
visual solstice
I was checking FIRMs for Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base where the ...
Are those IR signatures?
pulsar jacinth
From a different discord, but didn't see it posted in here yet, so figured I'd share it here:
https://fixupx.com/sinverguenchon/status/2007337580837384523?s=20](https://x.com/sinverguenchon/status/2007337580837384523?s=20)
https://fixupx.com/prensacom/status/2007335809737994256?s=20](https://x.com/prensacom/status/2007335809737994256?s=20)
https://fixupx.com/ochoaedgar84/status/2007335428987465972?s=20](https://x.com/ochoaedgar84/status/2007335428987465972?s=20)
https://fixupx.com/CarlosLaraM81/status/2007334958218776766?s=20](https://x.com/CarlosLaraM81/status/2007334958218776766?s=20)
https://fixupx.com/anthonyseijas2/status/2007336481984324059?s=20](https://x.com/anthonyseijas2/status/2007336481984324059?s=20)
https://fixupx.com/Carlitos\_madrig/status/2007336278589861975?s=20](https://x.com/Carlitos_madrig/status/2007336278589861975?s=20)
visual solstice
I was checking FIRMs for Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base where the ...
sorry if this sounds naive, but doesn't it compromise OPSEC to have public domain NASA geospatial data confirm strike targets in near-real time?
olive needle
do we know what the target was?
There are probably multiple, one of them was La Guaira which has one of VZ's major ports. https://fixupx.com/vcdgf555/status/2007343921295437890
turbid dock
I was checking FIRMs for Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base where the ...
FIRMS is going to wait a few hours to show anything, it's not live activity but it picks up every time the satellite passes
(and there are many limitations on what it can show, great tool but it's not useful for live monitoring)
placid orchid
sorry if this sounds naive, but doesn't it compromise OPSEC to have public domai...
I guess the locations of the strikes is obvious in any case.
timid pawn
Are those IR signatures?
sort of.. sat log shows signature as combined by Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)
turbid dock
Btw if someone needs some translation from Spanish, feel free to ping me 
timid pawn
FIRMS is going to wait a few hours to show anything, it's not live activity but ...
gotcha, I'll wait to see if it's duplicated to VIIRS logs
heavy gust
Still white noise from american officials...
jade notch
SEE REPLY
~~https://fxtwitter.com/delta_hotel_pr/status/2007322361755058516~~
Looks legit w/ the light trailing caused by the photographer's hand shaking in low light conditions (longer shutter)
SEE REPLY (#1413617230838501458 message )- legit photo-not of current event.
visual solstice
sort of.. sat log shows signature as combined by Moderate Resolution Imaging Sp...
thanks for the share!
waxen atlas
Damn. They may get after Diosdado too https://x.com/m_s_billingslea/status/2007346585206951960?
visual solstice
I guess the locations of the strikes is obvious in any case.
any word on the status of political targets? Any of Maduro's residences?
timid pawn
Miraflores Palace?
jade notch
per https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/world/trump-united-states-strikes-venezuela 's live updates.
turbid dock
any word on the status of political targets? Any of Maduro's residences?
@timid pawn I've seen this claimed to be next to Miraflores but I haven't verified this
summer sparrow
Not directed at anyone, just offering as a pause because things are coming in pretty fast at the moment:
If you notice anything that the moderation team should focus on, messages to @pulsar crater are appreciated.
turbid dock
Venezuelan media (I ignore how reliable they are) report on increased security next to Miraflores, showing a small armoured vehicle. Footage not geolocalised https://fixvx.com/VPITV/status/2007348772574253505
Update, got a geo: 10.511188030373251, -66.9230208319877 West of Miraflores Park
waxen atlas
X
merry sable
**SEE REPLY**
~~https://fxtwitter.com/delta_hotel_pr/status/2007322361755058516~...
https://x.com/delta_hotel_pr/status/2007351845132611709?s=20 This could have already been sent
silk tree
timid pawn
per <https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/world/trump-united-states-strikes-v...
Will check if the event schedule changes. But they did clear out stuff for 1/3 ahead of time.
visual solstice
https://bsky.app/profile/suat79.bsky.social/post/3mbivuc56ec2c
what were those secondary explosions? Seems like an ammunition dump was hit, can someone confirm this?
silk tree
i asked for slow mode. its possible we double links, that happens
placid orchid
https://bsky.app/profile/suat79.bsky.social/post/3mbivuc56ec2c
Looks consistent with exploding SAM:s
placid orchid
what were those secondary explosions? Seems like an ammunition dump was hit, can...
I Would say that it is a booster rocket burning.
steady elk
Some of that footage of the MH-47G firing in the lee of the hillside is pretty wild
weary herald
turbid dock
Venezuelan media (I ignore how reliable they are) report on increased security n...
10.511188030373251, -66.9230208319877
It's heading Westward, away from Miraflores
timid pawn
Called the only pizza place in West Palm Beach still open. No response in store, but it's def a busy night for them earlier at 2am
visual solstice
Called the only pizza place in West Palm Beach still open. No response in store,...
are demand spikes there a proxy for wartime operations?
like the pizza places around the pentagon?
timid pawn
Not a great proxy nowadays, but it's a reporter classic.
visual solstice
Not a great proxy nowadays, but it's a reporter classic.
gotcha
summer sparrow
A reminder that the Pentagon Pizza Theory is not a reliable predictor or indicator of state action. It's a post hoc analysis of the data.
balmy stratus
jade notch
forwarding https://venezuela.liveuamap.com/ , has been going up and down lately.
placid orchid
But the Chinooks suggest that atleast some troops are on the ground.
visual solstice
But the Chinooks suggest that atleast some troops are on the ground.
There are Chinooks in the air?
turbid dock
Aftermath of strikes in La Guaíra https://fixvx.com/Osinttechnical/status/2007361273726742989
Geolocation: https://fixvx.com/Osinttechnical/status/2007361773180277136
placid orchid
https://fixupx.com/FaytuksNetwork/status/2007338956241985774?s=20 Also in another video above
toxic ferry
There are Chinooks in the air?
scroll up as usual
visual solstice
There are Chinooks in the air?
How, where? Do we have visual confirmation? Geolocated footage? Or more US assets leaving their transponders on?
placid orchid
How, where? Do we have visual confirmation? Geolocated footage? Or more US asset...
It is possible to Id them yes
visual solstice
https://fixupx.com/FaytuksNetwork/status/2007338956241985774?s=20 Also in anothe...
I'd like to ask you something, but if I posted it in here, I'd be shut down for 'speculation'
steep raptor
Per CNN Brazil, Maduro was hosting a Chineese govt. delegation yesterday. No word if they're still there
https://www-cnnbrasil-com-br.translate.goog/internacional/maduro-se-reune-com-o-enviado-especial-da-china-em-caracas/?_x_tr_sl=pt&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_hist=true
dense heart
Has anybody been checking any marine traffic in the area?
steep raptor
If the question was going to be about what nations operate the helicopters...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_CH-47_Chinook#Operators
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_AH-64_Apache#Operators
timid pawn
Per CNN Brazil, Maduro was hosting a Chineese govt. delegation yesterday. No wor...
That's another angle I was looking at given the Chinese envoy / China Embassy is 1.5km from Miranda Air Base
balmy stratus
lethal kernel
Has anybody been checking any marine traffic in the area?
would the military vessels have AIS on, if they're on an operation?
digital zephyr
Has there been footage of actual heli inserts or US boots on the ground yet? Only seen them flying so far
quasi trail
no boots on the ground yet according to routers
placid orchid
Not many reasons for the Chinooks other than landing troops.
summer sparrow
This is the most up-to-date news article I can find at the moment:
https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e
archive: https://archive.is/eA7RB
toxic ferry
Definitely helicopters from the insertion doing attacks on ground targets
digital zephyr
Not many reasons for the Chinooks other than landing troops.
Yeah certainly, and they'd kick up quite a storm landing but it's a bit surprising that there hasn't been any footage of landings at all so far
placid orchid
Definitely helicopters from the insertion doing attacks on ground targets
Number of helos suggest a company sized force.
turbid dock
There are Chinooks in the air?
steady elk
One alleged view of the strikes on the port of La Guaira
https://x.com/michaelh992/status/2007365113825878114?s=20
X
Another view
https://x.com/michaelh992/status/2007354794974011851
X
10.6008021, -66.9373534
Petro posting some interesting stuff 👀
X
dreamy narwhal
If the question was going to be about what nations operate the helicopters...
h...
Not just a Chinook, but I believe these are 160th SOAR's (SOF) MH47's. The refueling boom is a telltale sign (they aren't the only user but the major one, and if anyone was flying Chinooks in this stage of a campaign... it'd be SOAR); this was from a video from tonight:
placid orchid
Indeed a lot of helicopters https://bsky.app/profile/tendar.bsky.social/post/3mbizesuqns26
jade notch
quasi trail
Petro posting some interesting stuff 👀
https://x.com/petrogustavo/status/2007...
translated it reads--"Balance confirmed until now:"
⚠️ INFORMATION CONFIRMED:
The Carlota inhabited and bombarded
Mountain quarter in Catia La Mar inhabited and bombarded
Federal Legislative Palace in Caracas bombarded
Tiuna Fort bombarded
Airport in El Hatillo attacked
F16 base in Barcquisimeto bombarded
Private airport Caracas in Charallave bombarded and uninhabitable
Defense Plan activated in Miraflores
Zones of Caracas, Santa Monica, Fuerte Tuna, Los Teques, January 23, all south of Caracas without electricity supply
Attack on Central Casco of Caracas
Military helicopter base Higuerote inhabited and bombarded
turbid dock
Petro posting some interesting stuff 👀
https://x.com/petrogustavo/status/2007...
That he gets intel from the buddies he plays Valorant with 
turbid hawk
Indeed a lot of helicopters https://bsky.app/profile/tendar.bsky.social/post/3mb...
All US, appears to be around 7 sea/black hawks and 2 chinook looking ones, Venezuela doesn’t carry any helicopters that resemble those types
Another video showed a better view of them give a second will send
turbid dock
https://vxtwitter.com/ThomasVLinge/status/2007371874515464416 This appears to be venezuelan troops
steady elk
X
lament fable
turbid dock
translated it reads--"Balance confirmed until now:"
⚠️ INFORMATION CONFIRMED:
...
First line is La Carlota (Francisco de Miranda Airbase) inhabilitated, not inhabited :)
turbid hawk
New view from underside, chinooks
quasi trail
First line is La Carlota (Francisco de Miranda Airbase) inhabilitated, not inhab...
i had ai translate, thanks for clarifying
rigid thunder
First line is La Carlota (Francisco de Miranda Airbase) inhabilitated, not inhab...
That would better translate as "disabled" as in no longer operational - out of combat.
quasi trail
getting the story is more imp than grammar atm
toxic ferry
New view from underside, chinooks
#1413617230838501458 message Related to this maybe.
turbid hawk
https://discord.com/channels/709752884257882135/1413617230838501458/145690153842...
Yes think that is
turbid dock
That would better translate as "disabled" as in no longer operational - out of c...
Yeah, just pointing out that the AI seemed to have translated inhabilitado as inhabited instead of disabled for some reason
Hey, so a couple things to note
-
First, we like to post links to sources rather than screenshots, here in general in the server, not just this channel.
-
Second, that footage has been posted already in this thread, you can find it up, as well as some people sharing geolocations
I appreciate your contributions nonetheless!
Telecom Antennas at El Volcán have been struck
turbid hawk
Do we have any confirmed reports of boots on the ground or is it entirely aircraft for now? I would imagine SOF is attempting to secure oil refiners but that’s just speculation
steady elk
Do we have any confirmed reports of boots on the ground or is it entirely aircra...
No, nothing confirmed as yet
digital zephyr
https://bsky.app/profile/vcdgf555.bsky.social/post/3mbirv7rhes25
Probably a stretch with the low res, but is that a Chinook on the ground at 0:37?
turbid dock
Do we have any confirmed reports of boots on the ground or is it entirely aircra...
Venezuela's oil industry isn't centered around Caracas either
https://bsky.app/profile/elordenmundial.bsky.social/post/3m5qhl42cmi22
steady elk
It was interesting to see a flurry of E-3B Sentry ACARS messages as the attack started 👀
turbid hawk
Yes but ports and depots would be centred out of Caracas isn’t it? Thought that was the key shipping port for oil tankers and such
mortal shoal
It was interesting to see a flurry of E-3B Sentry ACARS messages as the attack s...
where can i see that?
toxic ferry
Probably a stretch with the low res, but is that a Chinook on the ground at 0:37...
Honestly I doubt it, I don't have the knowledge to make that guess and the picture just has to be way too fuzzed, sorry mate.
dreamy narwhal
Probably a stretch with the low res, but is that a Chinook on the ground at 0:37...
It could be noise, but, it looks to me like there is some sort of movement above that shape (e.g. rotors on the presumed helo). Is this the only footage thus far showing a helo possibly landing?
silk marsh
All US, appears to be around 7 sea/black hawks and 2 chinook looking ones, Venez...
160th SOAR. Wallstreet Journal reported them being deployed to the Carribean in October.
jade notch
That he gets intel from the buddies he plays Valorant with <:loldog:103968362820...
...just as an aside... is that not a phone number at the top of the screenshot?
..like someone in the group's personal phone number..?
turbid dock
...just as an aside... is that not a phone number at the top of the screenshot?
...
Yep... it's a Spanish private mobile phone number. Good job Petro...
steady elk
X
turbid dock
Here a list of the strikes. Worth noting that the military base where Chávez remains are got struck:
silk tree
unconfirmed ping that maduro was captured uk defence community
steady elk
Trump saying they've captured Maduro on Truth Social?
rocky fable
silk tree
oh dear
steady elk
Thanks....we prefer links as well as images if possible 👍
turbid hawk
Well that confirms troops
turbid dock
Let's wait for further confirmation since we all know Trump is not the most.. reliable of sources despite holding the Office he holds, but that would be a huge development
weak ibex
Let's wait for further confirmation since we all know Trump is not the most.. re...
its crazy to say that but I do agree that with this US president we probably cannot trust everything he writes at like 4 AM
turbid dock
its crazy to say that but I do agree that with this US president we probably can...
Yeah, you have half of the brain telling you that the US Pres is saying they captured Maduro, but on the other hand it's Trump at 4am
steady elk
X
silk tree
its crazy to say that but I do agree that with this US president we probably can...
must say i doubt its written by him
pliant crow
The sign off is typical Trump, the rest reads like a staffer wrote it
turbid dock
The question we should be making is if there's any way to independently verify with open sources, providing any insight beyond what the US could provide
weak ibex
The question we should be making is if there's any way to independently verify w...
I don't think this kind of info is "OSINT-bruteforceable" unless we are hit with a lucky snippet of info
surreal mantle
well, map the helicopter flight path would be a start
jade notch
The question we should be making is if there's any way to independently verify w...
...still would be murky until we get a photo of him in America, imo.
weak ibex
well, map the helicopter flight path would be a start
well yes we can/should do that but it is still too speculation-heavy to infere anything from that imo.
surreal mantle
Presidential palace wasn't reported as being entered, so where else could Maduro hide?
turbid dock
well, map the helicopter flight path would be a start
#1413617230838501458 message Here some geos of the helis, it's all that's available so far
turbid dock
I don't think this kind of info is "OSINT-bruteforceable" unless we are hit with...
Yeah, the question is whether there's any footage in social media that can be verified
turbid dock
...still would be murky until we get a photo of him in America, imo.
Absolutely, but we haven't had any footage of US troops on the ground or the helicopters approaching somewhere, just flying over. That could suggest something.
placid orchid
One would guess that if they landed near Miraflores there would be someone that filmed it.
pliant crow
Was Maduro at the presidential palace?
weak ibex
Was Maduro at the presidential palace?
afaik we do not know that (as in: neither confirmed nor denyed as of now)
jade notch
Per the Wall Street Journal (PAYWALLED)https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/venezuela-strikes/card/venezuela-s-vice-president-delcy-rodriguez-reported-safe-YakmjWw5D3I4ifagFodc?mod=WSJ_home_supertoppermiddle_lctimeline
placid orchid
I guess that this could indicate that Maduro is absent https://bsky.app/profile/maks23.bsky.social/post/3mbj4roqadk2q
surreal mantle
https://discord.com/channels/709752884257882135/1413617230838501458/145692761458...
So that's a flight going north into Caracas, right?
sharp holly
I guess that this could indicate that Maduro is absent https://bsky.app/profile/...
Is that a video game image? Whats going in with his hand?!
weak ibex
celest bear
So that's a flight going north _into_ Caracas, right?
The arrow is towards the sea
turbid dock
I guess that this could indicate that Maduro is absent https://bsky.app/profile/...
Here the full declaration from Valdímir Padrino, whose home was among the reported targets https://fixvx.com/elpoliticove/status/2007382879907786900
midnight dirge
Original Source for Padrino Lopez statement/video (Instagram link)
Instagram
weak ibex
Is that a video game image? Whats going in with his hand?!
I am very confused by the video as well tbh, is this possibly green screened to not give any hints on location?
sharp holly
I am very confused by the video as well tbh, is this possibly green screened to ...
Green screen feels like the most likely explanation. But that image and some of the video looked kinda janky. Could also just be low quality camera work though…
turbid dock
So that's a flight going north _into_ Caracas, right?
Entering Caracas from the South, the flight path is towards near Miraflores
weak ibex
Geolocated now https://bsky.app/profile/johnmarquee.bsky.social/post/3mbiybgtfps...
please note that this was corrected to MH-47, not CH-17s
ruby heart
Hi everyone. This is not a comment on current posts, just a general reminder.
Now the ‘action’ has stopped, please remember to stay calm and not allow yourself or others to slip into speculation.
weak ibex
please note that this was corrected to MH-47, not CH-17s
(not necessary relevant to the narrative but just for the sake of precision)
rocky fable
serene veldt
Does the fact that Maduro ordered a state of emergency imply he was not captured by US forces, or can he do that remotely?
midnight dirge
So that others can evaluate sources, please do share links.
silk marsh
Does the fact that Maduro ordered a state of emergency imply he was not captured...
It implies nothing considering that somebody else in the chain of command could have simply acted in his stead. At this point, beyond what little snipits we've seen? We're in the dark.
Best to just give it time and wait for objectivity to rear its head.
surreal mantle
please note that this was corrected to MH-47, not CH-17s
what sort of difference does that make for the flight speed?
weak ibex
what sort of difference does that make for the flight speed?
I don't think it does make a big difference at all
steady elk
Tanker going home to bed
turbid dock
Original Source for Padrino Lopez statement/video [(Instagram link)](https://www...
He mentions there are dead and injured, but numbers are being assessed.
Then it's mostly denouncing the US attack, a call for unity and order, and a lot of the usual propaganda talk.
Then he calls, according to the Constitution, for the "State of Exterior Commotion" in the whole territory. All military people should be under orders of the Commander in Chief Nicolás Maduro. Then a massive deployment of all defence system.
Then more propaganda.
pliant crow
Does the fact that Maduro ordered a state of emergency imply he was not captured...
Does anyone have an image of the declaration?
BBC reported that the declaration was actually unsigned
rapid star
Green screen feels like the most likely explanation. But that image and some of ...
Fotoforensics suggests there’s nothing suspect about it. You’re right, just the bold colours in the background I reckon
serene veldt
Does anyone have an image of the declaration?
BBC reported that the declaration ...
No images yet, just a pretty vague statement
turbid dock
According to Sky News, it was a "negotiated exit" https://news.sky.com/
Update: as discussed below, this information appears to be sourced on the Venezuelan opposition, so not solid evidence
jade notch
https://x.com/tomphillipsin/status/2007393004458528773
(poster is a Guardian correspondent)
ruby heart
According to Sky News, it was a "negotiated exit" https://news.sky.com/
Update...
Sources in the Venezuelan opposition believe it was. https://news.sky.com/story/venezuela-latest-explosions-heard-in-capital-of-caracas-13489831?postid=10786063#liveblog-body
linking is a bit strange so I’ll add the entire item:
jade notch
To be blunt- if I had 10 guys with guns pointed at my face and I surrendered- that could (in theory) be called a negotiated exit by your political opposition. (The strikes suggest this may have been a bit foreceful on initial look)
ruby heart
serene veldt
To be blunt- if I had 10 guys with guns pointed at my face and I surrendered- th...
That would be considered a forced exit I think
placid orchid
In this context i assume that "negotiated" means that there was an agreement prior to them picking him up.
midnight dirge
Official statement from Delcy Rodriguez, Vice President of Venezuela Instagram link
Note: full statement is four pages
Instagram
serene veldt
Google translated version if anyone wants it
silk marsh
In this context i assume that "negotiated" means that there was an agreement pri...
That or Delta just showed up, minced his detail, and gave him an ultimatium of 'come with us quietly or else'
placid orchid
That or Delta just showed up, minced his detail, and gave him an ultimatium of '...
Again, thats a forecful exit. aka kidnapping.
serene veldt
Anything involving violence or threats of violence would be a forced exit
turbid dock
Delcy Rodríguez on Venezuelan media a few moments ago, I will provide a summary of anything interesting she could have said
sharp holly
Worth noting the negotiated exit claim comes from opposition speculation. So not worth a great deal without corroboration.
ruby heart
Let’s not dwell on negotiated/forced until actual evidence emerges.
rocky fable
turbid dock
Delcy Rodríguez on Venezuelan media a few moments ago, I will provide a summary ...
So pretty much what the tweet focuses on: she focuses on the fact they attacked Chávez's resting place and asks for the US government for proof of life of Maduro and his wife. And then on the activation of military forces that Padrino also said above
fallen iron
hmm I'll personally wait for more reporting on this
placid orchid
#1413617230838501458 message
upbeat flicker
Are there indications FOL locations on the abc islands are used for this operation?
ruby heart
Since reports are no longer coming in so fast, please take a little time before posting to check you’re not repeating something.
serene veldt
Biggest thing now is probably waiting for that maralago press conference later today
visual solstice
how very interesting
quasi trail
fastest regime change ever lol
runic pond
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, speaking on the country's state-run TV, issued a demand on Saturday morning for proof of life and the location of the country's President Nicolás Maduro.
His remarks, in a telephone interview with the TV network, came soon after President Trump said Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela.
ruby heart
Are there indications FOL locations on the abc islands are used for this operati...
I’m not sure I know what FOL means, but I think they avoided the islands so far, right?
New reminder, this is not a place to chat.
turbid dock
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/venezuela-us-military-strikes-maduro-trump/...
I linked an excerpt above and a quick summary of what she said. She demands for proof of life.
runic pond
I linked an excerpt above and a quick summary of what she said. She demands for ...
Mb
Sorry
runic pond
I linked an excerpt above and a quick summary of what she said. She demands for ...
Wait, why does mine say “he” and yours says “she”?
turbid dock
Wait, why does mine say “he” and yours says “she”?
Bad translation I assume. Delcy Rodríguez, the Venezuelan VP, is a woman
runic pond
Bad translation I assume. Delcy Rodríguez, the Venezuelan VP, is a woman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delcy_Rodríguez
yep she is a woman, cbs just messed up, glad to be able to settle that
turbid dock
US Senator Mike Lee on X [(link)](https://vxtwitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/2007...
Follow up, no more actions expected:
vxTwitter / fixvx
silk tree
US Senator Mike Lee on X [(link)](https://vxtwitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/2007...
what does the last sentence mean in that context. asking as an european.
steep socket
what does the last sentence mean in that context. asking as an european.
“We didn’t need congressional approval because it was preemptive self defense of our legal law enforcement action”
midnight dirge
what does the last sentence mean in that context. asking as an european.
This refers to the part of the US constitution that has been interpreted as giving the president broad powers to act unilaterally when there's an imminent threat to US national security.
silk tree
This refers to the part of the US constitution that has been interpreted as givi...
what is the threat
midnight dirge
We may know more at the press conference!
surreal mantle
what is the threat
To the presidential approval rating! More seriously it's quite arbitrary and ultimately it's up to Congress to decide if the president should be deposed because they overstepped their authority.
In practice it means the US president can pretty much kill anyone unless enough of the right people protest.
silk tree
To the presidential approval rating! More seriously it's quite arbitrary and ult...
this is all a dark grey zone.
midnight dirge
▶️ Let's keep focus on research and analysis please.
silk tree
yeah but sometimes its better to ask people when you dont understand something than google around. thanks.
weak ibex
anyone else having trouble with accessing this site: https://venezuela.liveuamap.com/ ?
steady elk
anyone else having trouble with accessing this site: https://venezuela.liveuamap...
working for me
thin furnace
anyone else having trouble with accessing this site: https://venezuela.liveuamap...
yes, it loaded twice of four tries, the other two were host errors
weak ibex
okay working for me now too. So they are probably on the edge of cloudflare, thanks!
fwiw, this account has not posted for 2.5 years, maybe it was a mistakenly pasted link @steady elk ?
sharp holly
Straight to login page on both those links for me, but I don’t have an X account
steady elk
fwiw, this account has not posted for 2.5 years, maybe it was a mistakenly paste...
I think so ..... thanks
turbid dock
Seems the tweet was deleted and reposted, I'm assume this is what you were linking, TH?
steady elk
Seems the tweet was deleted and reposted, I'm assume this is what you were linki...
Yeah that's it dude
turbid dock
Explainer on the State of Exterior Commotion that Venezuela has issued following the incursion
toxic ferry
Probably a stretch with the low res, but is that a Chinook on the ground at 0:37...
#1413617230838501458 message looks like you were right
steady elk
Possibly a first combat use of the LUCAS drone?
X
weak ibex
Video of (alleged) attempted arrests of civilian in Caracas (however the person appears to be fleeing the scene later in the video?)
https://x.com/UltimaHoraCR/status/2007380627788587384
X
midnight dirge
Geolocation of "Antenas El Volcán" (10.416645, -66.851563) by Christiaan Triebert (link)
X
weak ibex
Fort Tiuna strike footage geolocated:
https://bsky.app/profile/johnmarquee.bsky.social/post/3mbjbqvwkr22j
karmic gulch
Report of two individuals burned following an explosion.
. (Sensitive images) https://t.me/venezuelast/111149 Approximate geolocation : https://maps.app.goo.gl/z3iVUkvdKeBptJvT9?g_st=ic
turbid dock
Diosdado Cabello has appeared after some rumours of him being captured or killed
weak ibex
https://x.com/eldiario/status/2007418834379304983
Venezuela Attorney General asserts that Maduro was kidnapped by the US
(I share this in part also because it serves as indication that the US really seemed to be focused on Maduro and his wife only but not any other part of the Venezuelan political elite as the VP, the Attorney General and other high ranking officials appear to not have been attacked)
midnight dirge
Argentina's president, Javier Milei, posts in support of US operation to capture Maduro (link).
weak ibex
There is also an official statement of EU HR of Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas on the matter however it is a really careful one and not picking sides:
https://bsky.app/profile/kajakallas.bsky.social/post/3mbjb57n5uc2y
karmic gulch
Image of La Carlota airport in the morning https://t.me/venezuelanews21/3012
midnight dirge
US Attorney General: Maduro and wife indicted in the Southern District of New York (link).
Nicolas Maduro has been charged with
- Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy
- Cocaine Importation Conspiracy
- Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices
- Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States.
vxTwitter / fixvx 💖 759 🔁 382
toxic ferry
what
placid orchid
US Attorney General: Maduro and wife indicted in the Southern District of New Y...
"Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices"?
Hard to see how any serious court could find him guilty.
karmic gulch
Report of two individuals burned following an explosion.
. (Sensitive images) ht...
Other view https://t.me/venezuelanews21/3001
fallen iron
US Attorney General: Maduro and wife indicted in the Southern District of New Y...
the fuck
weak ibex
tl;dsp: government of Brazil will hold an emergency meeting today regarding the US attacks
weak ibex
US Attorney General: Maduro and wife indicted in the Southern District of New Y...
I do not quite understand how this seems to surprise so many people - isn't that the core of the entire argument behind the operation? That Maduro is head of a major international drug trafficking cartel that needs to be sanctioned?
(not saying that I agree with this personally, but from the strategic pov of the current US administration this does make perfect sense, doesn't it?)
midnight dirge
I think its the weapons charge that surprises people.
weak ibex
I think its the weapons charge that surprises people.
fair enough, that is a bit odd
midnight dirge
Although it seems the US has used it before (DEA Press Release announching charges in May 2025)
one count of conspiracy to possess firearms, machine guns, and destructive devices in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; and
placid orchid
Although it seems the US has used it before [(DEA Press Release announching char...
But not against a head of state?
silk tree
Although it seems the US has used it before [(DEA Press Release announching char...
Hernández?
midnight dirge
Hernández?
I'm not sure what Hernández refers to.
sudden crown
Juan Orlando Hernández of Honduras. 2022
hasty bloom
INAL, but looks like they are referring to violations of the National Firearms Act there which is a bold choice.
placid orchid
The guy that (quote) "They basically said he was a drug dealer because he was the president of the country".?
karmic gulch
Member of the Venezuelan security forces claims to have escaped the massacre at Fuerte Tiuna. He reports that 11 helicopters were involved in the attack https://x.com/abelandia/status/2007409422885130528?s=46
X
sudden crown
I'm guessing not. If Honduras is the model, it would be under 18 USC 44
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/924 This is what was used last time
The phrasing used does look like NFA to me which is why I looked it up, I am guessing it's just someone who is used to the NFA coming up, not the in-furtherence-of-drug-trafficking part.
weak ibex
The guy that (quote) "They basically said he was a drug dealer because he was th...
tbh, there is a bit more nuance to it from both sides, I really liked this read which I think @midnight dirge shared here some weeks ago:
midnight dirge
Member of the Venezuelan security forces claims to have escaped the massacre at ...
Does he say more about causalities? The background/crowd noise is challenging my Spanish.
turbid dock
Does he say more about causalities? The background/crowd noise is challenging ...
No, I think it's something that can easily be misunderstood:
He talks about them coming from "la zona de matanzas" which can be translated as the (mass) killing zone, but he then follows with "as we call it", which makes me think that Matanzas is a toponym they internally have. So it's just that "they came from the Matanzas area, as we call it"
But even I, as a native Spanish speaker (not Venezuelan) have some struggles to understand what he truly means because of my lack of local context and the background noise
hasty bloom
Now this is interesting
midnight dirge
Now this is interesting
(link) for the above.
X
hasty bloom
[(link)](https://x.com/JimLaPorta/status/2007355824709218772) for the above.
My bad, forgot to include the link. Forgot that you allow x links in here.
midnight dirge
Reuter's Connect posting a number of images (link to Reuter's Connect (query = Venezuela))
karmic gulch
Does he say more about causalities? The background/crowd noise is challenging ...
Indeed, he is referring to Matanza as a location, the name of a place. He then goes on to recount that he was able to come down from that area and mentions that some people managed to escape, while others may have remained there.
sudden crown
Reuter's Connect posting a number of images [(link to Reuter's Connect (query = ...
For those curious, as it seems to be the only direct damage featured by these press photographs as yet - the large destroyed military vehicle featured here is one of Venezuela's SAM anti-air defenses. (specifically, a Buk-M2E system, designated "SA-17 Grizzly" by NATO for those more familiar with those names).
karmic gulch
I have been actively searching for photos of wounded or fallen combatants and have not found a single one. Only a video of some people burned inside a vehicle. I cannot understand this.
placid orchid
The S-300 systems and the Su-30:s are more interesting imo, what happened to them and why where none of them acitve?
sudden crown
The S-300 systems and the Su-30:s are more interesting imo, what happened to the...
Venezuela, by all reports, has (had?) two S-300s total
And at the moment, there is no air defense system in the world that has more current relevant data on how it performs and where it is weak than the S-200 and S-300 systems
-# mixed up S-200/S-300 with S-300/S-400, apologies
placid orchid
And at the moment, there is no air defense system in the world that has more cur...
S-200?
warm heath
Close up of what appears to be a destroyed missile on the ground at La Carlota air base, unclear if American or Venezuelan https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/us-strikes-venezuelan-capital/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjY6bmV3c21sX1JDMlBUSUEzMENQNw
sudden crown
S-200?
the predecessor, not in use in venezuela but is in use in russia and shares core similarities, and the same issue of having constant probes.
placid orchid
Close up of what appears to be a destroyed missile on the ground at La Carlota a...
Possibly an AGM-88 but really hard to tell.
placid orchid
the predecessor, not in use in venezuela but is in use in russia and shares core...
Yeah i know what it is but afaik its not (with few exeptions) in use.
digital zephyr
Possibly an AGM-88 but really hard to tell.
88's have two sets of fins, the picture appears to have a third fin around the nose?
hasty bloom
Venezuela, by all reports, has (had?) two S-300s total
Regarding the S-300s: Take this context with a healthy dosage of salt.
Mods, sorry for the nature of the tweet, I'm aware of the nature of the no meme rule, but the tweet text and timestamp are important here if you ignore the image and context.
https://fixupx.com/SA_Defensa/status/1976141527026921596?s=20
sudden crown
I have been actively searching for photos of wounded or fallen combatants and ha...
A few factors at play on that one. Firstly, this was not a ground invasion. If there was direct infantry contact, it would not be prolonged and there is a significant chance that any fighting on the ground would be no longer happening by the time someone shows up with a camera, and that is assuming a ny significant ground skirmish occured, which there is no evidence for (or against) at this time. A brief bombing and a special operations team to arrest the head of state. Casualties will likely be almost exclusively from the bombing, if not entirely exclusively.
elder tendon
So, MH-47s were used in the operation? I just heard on CBS the operation was done by the US Army's Delta Force.
sacred lantern
Catch up on the operation in Venezuela starting here: #1413617230838501458 message
sacred lantern
Catch up on the operation in Venezuela starting here: https://discord.com/channe...
weak ibex
yes there is geolocated footage of MH-47s
https://x.com/john_marquee/status/2007367050747138335 ((CH-17 was later corrected to MH-47))
X
elder tendon
elder tendon
https://x.com/john_marquee/status/2007367050747138335 ((CH-17 was later correcte...
Ah, okay.
sudden crown
Yeah i know what it is but afaik its not (with few exeptions) in use.
brain fell out cause up all night sorry, somehow i got the relationship of S-300s and S-400s into S-200s and S-300s.
placid orchid
brain fell out cause up all night sorry, somehow i got the relationship of S-3...
Ah, makes more sense then 👍
hasty bloom
[(link)](https://x.com/JimLaPorta/status/2007355824709218772) for the above.
Also, Hindsight is 20/20 but if the strikes were planned to occur on Christmas and have been delayed by 2 weeks does provide some bigger context for the Bella 1 "chase" by the US Coast Guard.
placid orchid
88's have two sets of fins, the picture appears to have a third fin around the n...
Could be that its a lot bigger than it appears https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineSTAR/photos/us-strikes-venezuelas-capital-a-destroyed-anti-aircraft-unit-at-la-carlota-milit/1365966532233889/
digital zephyr
Could be that its a lot bigger than it appears https://www.facebook.com/Philippi...
Yeah it would make a lot of sense, also fits with the AGM-88's found in previous conflicts
midnight dirge
Brazil's president condemns US operation on X (link)
Excerpt:
Os bombardeios em território venezuelano e a captura do seu presidente ultrapassam uma linha inaceitável. Esses atos representam uma afronta gravíssima à soberania da Venezuela e mais um precedente extremamente perigoso para toda a comunidade internacional
DeepL Machine Translation
The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line. These acts represent a grave affront to Venezuela's sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.
It's a BUK missile, it's actually the same one here
https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/us-strikes-venezuelan-capital/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjY6bmV3c21sX1JDMk9USUFNMlM2VA
weak ibex
placid orchid
It's a BUK missile, it's actually the same one here
https://www.reutersconnect.c...
Yes that is my conclusion also.
weak ibex
well hello
https://www.flightradar24.com/T7102X/3dc15c63
(this one is landing at Simon Bolivar International Airport right now)
midnight dirge
Paraguay's foreign ministry issued a carefully worded statement describing Maduro a threat to the region while calling for a peaceful transition (link).
X
pliant crow
Trump is on air on Fox News
midnight dirge
Trump is on air on Fox News
He said his goodbye just as I changed the channel.
weak ibex
https://x.com/jdvance/status/2007447083909841398
I don't think we had the JD Vance statement here yet?
X
pliant crow
He said his goodbye just as I changed the channel.
BBC Livefeed coverage of the interview
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c5yqygxe41pt?post=asset%3Af8b176e3-1c16-455b-8a8c-b5e69ec63f6a#post
midnight dirge
BBC Livefeed coverage of the interview
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c5yqygxe41p...
Can you kindly share a link?
sand leaf
Trump went on Fox and Friends and provided some extra details
https://x.com/NatashaBertrand/status/2007459162767143357?s=20
https://x.com/NatashaBertrand/status/2007460076471058642?s=20
pliant crow
Can you kindly share a link?
Apologies. Updated post
turbid dock
https://x.com/jdvance/status/2007447083909841398
I don't think we had the JD Va...
Yet another spin as Trump rejected talking with Maduro
wicked flume
Have the bombings stopped or uhh, is it still underway?
Is this like an active invasion or smth?
weak ibex
Have the bombings stopped or uhh, is it still underway?
Is this like an active i...
no more bombings, in general (as far as I know right now) has been a very limited action
wide vessel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNCn9oeQwfc Trump's "Fox and Friends" interview is now airing on the Fox News Youtube channel too
wicked flume
I hope y'all are archiving this rn.
weak ibex
no more bombings, in general (as far as I know right now) has been a very limite...
It is too early to make a final judgement but I believe, people comparing this to Iraq 2003 are massively mis-judging what has happened/is happening.
dry trellis
Many are comparing it to Manuel Noriega
weak ibex
as of now even that is probably way too large (in personnel deployed and length of operation)
midnight dirge
Possible ID of an RQ-170 Sentinel landing in Ceiba, Puerto RIco (link)
Original video posted by Nando Curbelo Rodríguez on Facebook (link).
@sand leaf
torn aurora
EDIT : NOW CONFIRMED AS FALSE It was the Observatorio Cagigal which was struck, not the mausoleum. ____ Reports from an outlet called Azeri Press (APA) news that one of the targeted strikes was on Chavez's mausoleum, the "Cuartel de la Montaña complex" https://en.apa.az/america/us-strike-hits-hugo-chavez-mausoleum-in-venezuelan-capital-video-488008
There is a distance view video available, that can likely be geolocated
karmic gulch
Additional information regarding another possible victim. https://x.com/ewalds6/status/2007456391531786402?s=46
hoary laurel
weak ibex
do you actually want to now, how they did it? As in how the operation was done? Or do you want to discuss the political/legal implications?
sweet acorn
do you actually want to now, *how* they did it? As in how the operation was done...
How it was done I was wondering
ionic egret
how can be understood by scrolling up through the previous messages
sacred lantern
Delta Force flew in with Chinooks, they grabbed them out of Fuerte Tiuna, and then flew them out to the USS Iwo Jima
sweet acorn
Delta Force flew in with Chinooks, they grabbed them out of Fuerte Tiuna, and th...
OHH got you thank you boss preciate it
weak ibex
How it was done I was wondering
okay I think that is a valid question to ask in this channel but it has also been discussed already very intensely (+ keep in mind we still know far from everyting but tl;dr is that they attacked central strategic points with rockets, flew in some personnel with helis and got him out of his bunker)
sweet acorn
okay I think that is a valid question to ask in this channel but it has also bee...
I understand now thank you.
hasty bloom
The indictment against Maduro has been released by the DOJ
https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1422326/dl
Edit: after reading the indictment, INAL but the indictment seems to be focused on Cocaine.
midnight dirge
Ewald Scharfenberg, co-editor of Armando info, posted that a "ciudadano" was killed in the strike on the El Volcan antenna (link).
I think it's likely here that 'ciudadano' here is indicating a civilian casualty.
Confirman que en el ataque a la antena de El Volcán, sector Oripoto del municipio El Hatillo, falleció un ciudadano.
sacred lantern
Yeah I think that's right,
midnight dirge
Christiaan Triebert placed the El Volcan strike at (10.416645, -66.851563) (link)
X
surreal mantle
X
hoary laurel
For the 11 am ET press conference that should be starting soon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezYNnFETXk0
turbid dock
Reuters reports Delcy Rodríguez is in Russia. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuela-vice-president-rodriguez-russia-four-sources-say-2026-01-03/
May have arrived there in advance, as, with 10k km of distance, flying from Caracas to Moscow would take more hours than there have been since the attack and the publication of the news
jade notch
https://x.com/UN/status/2007472258273407083
UN is "deeply alarmed"
midnight dirge
Statement form opposition leader and Noble Peace Prize recepient, María Corina Machado (link)
X
waxen atlas
Reuters reports Delcy Rodríguez is in Russia. https://www.reuters.com/world/ame...
Suggests that she knew about the op and/or participated in betrayal. This would likely dismantle things internally within regime.
turbid dock
Suggests that she knew about the op and/or participated in betrayal. This would ...
I don't know, she could be there for other reasons too. I think that suggesting Delcy collaborated or knew in advance based solely on the fact she was in russia at the time is speculation
waxen atlas
It may also be a false rumor.
midnight dirge
Venezuelan National Guard reported deploying in San Félix (Guayana City), in the state of Bolivar.
Source: Telegram (link)
hoary laurel
waxen atlas
Source inside helped CIA track Maduro’s movements.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/world/americas/cia-venezuela-maduro.html
hoary laurel
sacred lantern
Here is the Truth Social post: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115832088990838303
midnight dirge
▶️ Friendly research pro tip: primary sources, when and where possible, are preferred.
waxen atlas
Please recall the NYT spread on Delcy just last month. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/world/americas/trump-maduro-venezuela-president.html?
midnight dirge
Trump posted a compilation of video clips strangely set to Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" Truth Social link
I'm not sure if all the videos have been shared in channel - some have.
For context, "Fortunate Son" is a 1969 protest song about how the wealthy and connected avoided the Vietnam War draft.
It's frequently used in movies and TV shows about the era.
Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Hoo, they're red, white and blue
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief"
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, LordIt ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no senator's son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one, no
turbid dock
For the 11 am ET press conference that should be starting soon
https://www.youtu...
Trump speaking now
sacred lantern
Trump says no US fatalities or equipment loses
lost dagger
"We're going to run the country" ????????????!!!!!!!!!!
midnight dirge
Trump says the US will run Venezuela until a safe transfer of power can happen
sacred lantern
Trump: ""We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition"
rapid sapphire
"We are going to run the country" did I hear that right??
neat oar
You did
spark oxide
So seemed like he alluded to a cyberattack on the power grid happened before the attacks
sacred lantern
um
Trump: ""We're going to have our oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars"
delicate kiln
"We're ready to stage a second and much larger attack" ("but probably not necessary")
ionic egret
is Vance there?
sacred lantern
I only see Lil' Marco
placid orchid
Trump: ""We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, pr...
I guess that he thinks that all countries are run by just one guy.
sacred lantern
Yeah seriously
ionic egret
thanks, I was trying to see how likely it was that this was planned in advance (Vance is home and that was announced Dec 26)
tall pecan
“We have no crime in Washington DC. Restaurants are opening and people are bringing their daughters”
midnight dirge
thanks, I was trying to see how likely it was that this was planned in advance (...
In his call in to Fox earlier, Trump stated it was planned for ~ New Years but weather required a delay.
dry trellis
So reading between the lines, did he indicate there will be a second strike ?
turbid dock
is Vance there?
Looking back at the stream when they come in, doesn't seem to be there. I recognise Rubio, Hegseth and Miller. So unless the camera angle switch left him out, he's not
sacred lantern
No Vance
neat oar
So reading between the lines, did he indicate there will be a second strike ?
At the end he did say it’s a second wave “we don’t have to do now” I think
spark oxide
ah he's hit the improv part of the speech
sacred lantern
So reading between the lines, did he indicate there will be a second strike ?
He said they were ready with a second one and then said "probably" they won't launch it but god knows
delicate kiln
thanks, I was trying to see how likely it was that this was planned in advance (...
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/world/trump-united-states-strikes-venezuela
"A C.I.A. source within the Venezuelan government monitored the location of Nicolás Maduro in both the days and moments before his capture by American special operation forces, according to people briefed on the operation.
The American spy agency, the people said, produced the intelligence that led to the capture of Mr. Maduro, monitoring his position and movements with a fleet of stealth drones that provided near constant monitoring over Venezuela, in addition to the information provided by its Venezuelan sources.
The C.I.A. had a group of officers on the ground in Venezuela working clandestinely beginning in August, according to a person familiar with the agency’s work. The officers gathered information about Mr. Maduro’s “pattern of life” and movements."
Looks very planned to me.
tall pecan
ah he's hit the improv part of the speech
I am unfortunately still listening
midnight dirge
ah he's hit the improv part of the speech
I was impressed that he started with prepared remarks.
tall pecan
He’s one of the all time great orators
turbid dock
I stopped listening for a few minutes, went back live and I had to check twice that I was not at where I had stopped and it was indeed live, because he really talks in circles
ionic egret
there's a reason I'm not watching and instead reading the transcript in the Bellingcat Discord Server
delicate kiln
I am unfortunately still listening
Yeah now he's totally improvising. Jeez...
sweet acorn
how hard is it to stick to a script
neat oar
Marco Rubio looks like he hates his job
sweet acorn
mondroe doctrine??
marsh geyser
Donroe Document
sweet acorn
"We are reasserting american power in a very powerful way"
delicate kiln
mondroe doctrine??
"it's a big deal but we've superseded it. it's very important but we forgot about it. but we won't forget it anymore"
placid orchid
I think that most of what he says comes as a surprise to anyone involved.
tall pecan
He’s not improvising. He’s spiraling upwards toward Heaven
ruby heart
Or rather the camera just zoomed out. 😄
He was there all along, wasn’t he? https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mbjtzv36xt2h
sweet acorn
general raising cains- are we sponsored now?
ruby heart
Please keep it focused people. You were all doing so well.
midnight dirge
Trump mentioned the 'theft of American oil' in a press conference, and Vance referenced it in a post on X this morning.
For those interested in Venezuela's perspective on this claim, see Caracas Chronicles' 26 December article "The Theft That Never Was: Inside Venezuela’s 1976 Oil Takeover" (link)
X
tall pecan
“Operation Absolute Resolve” if that’s helpful
thin furnace
I want to be serious to avoid mod wrath but what is with Trump's expressions on this broadcast now he's stopped talking
dry trellis
Exhaustion I’d guess
delicate kiln
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/un-chief-venezuela-us-action-sets-dangerous-precedent-2026-01-03/
"These developments constitute a dangerous precedent," Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. "The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect - by all - of international law, including the UN Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected."
..
"[Venezuela's U.N. Ambassador Samuel Moncada] said the U.S. had violated the founding U.N. Charter, which states: " All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state."
delicate kiln
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/loud-noises-heard-venezuela-capital-southern-area-without-electricity-2026-01-03/ (updated 12 minutes ago)
"Venezuelan state-run energy company PDVSA's oil production and refining were normal and its most important facilities had suffered no damage according to an initial assessment, two sources with knowledge of the company's operations said."
edgy merlin
Trump indicated it was a signal to Mexico as well 🫠
sorry but if the quote is correct, he literally replied negatively to an already leading question
waxen atlas
The analysis says “Trump seemed to signal they might”
He also states that “something is going to have to be done with Mexico.”
delicate kiln
sorry but if the quote is correct, he literally replied negatively to an already...
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/world/trump-united-states-strikes-venezuela
"When asked on Fox News if the attack in Venezuela were intended as a warning to President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, Trump seemed to signal they might. “Well, it wasn’t meant to be,” he replied. “We’re very friendly with her, she’s a good woman. But the cartels are running Mexico — she’s not running Mexico.”
Trump said Sheinbaum had repeatedly declined his offers to intervene against the cartels. “I’ve asked her numerous times, ‘Would you like us to take out the cartels?’” he said, adding that “something is going to have to be done with Mexico.”" (as of two hours ago)
shut hamlet
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/world/trump-united-states-strikes-venezu...
if i were mexico id be taking this as a threat
but i’m not mexico
turbid dock
Here the link to your screenshot.
Please do not forget to provide a source to any content you may share, thanks
midnight dirge
▶️ Our community's #faq offers a helpful explainer on why we request links/sources with posts.
neat oar
What “group” is trump talking about?
hot apex
Petro State
sacred lantern
Trump asked if there's going to be boots on the ground: Shrugs, "We're not afraid of it. We don't mind saying it. We're going to make sure the country is run properly."
delicate kiln
Trump also hinted at that "the oil companies are gonna pay for it" (unclear which oil companies, or what it is)
marsh geyser
"The people standing right behind me" are going to run the country.
Congratulations, President Rubio.
waxen atlas
What “group” is trump talking about?
Chevron and Fluor likely part of it given the history.
tall pecan
“Reimbursement for people in our country that were forced out of Venezuela”
delicate kiln
please let's not speculate
turbid dock
Trump just mentioned that Rubio is talking with Delcy Rodríguez
waxen atlas
Trump just mentioned that Rubio is talking with Delcy Rodríguez
This is what I’ve been saying
delicate kiln
"A lot of opposition, a lot of gunfights" - "He made it to the door [of a safe space] but he couldn't open it" (Trump about Maduro, question was whether Maduro could've been killed)
waxen atlas
Sorry I’m latam analyst by profession so I tend to provide analysis as well as intelligence. I know that is not something that is often done here but I literally do it daily.
Ill try to refrain.
sacred lantern
Trump asked how long he expects the US to run Venezuela: "It takes a period of time (...) we have to rebuild their whole infrastructure. Oil is very dangerous."
waxen atlas
Trump states that Petro needs to “watch his ass” https://x.com/acyn/status/2007503073519001868
X
delicate kiln
The nytimes live chat (see links above) says (just now 18:26) "President Trump indicated that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez had been sworn in as president of Venezuela. But earlier on Saturday, Rodríguez denounced Washington’s military actions and Maduro’s capture."
Did anyone hear him say that? I missed that...
heavy kettle
The nytimes live chat (see links above) says (just now 18:26) "President Trump i...
He just did again, or asked about it
waxen atlas
He just did again, or asked about it
He said it again
tall pecan
The nytimes live chat (see links above) says (just now 18:26) "President Trump i...
I heard Trump say it just now on NPR’s broadcast
sweet acorn
wait what cuba took over venezuela?
turbid dock
Trump mentioned that he's not in talks with María Corina Machado
marsh geyser
She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect.
turbid dock
wait what cuba took over venezuela?
Some conspiracist rambling, one thing is the close ties between Cuba and Venezuela, and a very different thing is saying that Cuba took over Venezuela, which is not true at all lol
heavy kettle
Here the link to your screenshot.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/worl...
Trump’s suggestion that Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, would help the United States run the country was stunning because it came just as Venezuelan state television was playing a clip of her denouncing the U.S. military operation.
sweet acorn
so this operation was sponsored by oil companies.... got it
oak marlin
An interesting aside: https://x.com/JoePompliano/status/2007455311351718118
X
turbid dock
Trump’s suggestion that Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, would help ...
Well, she's currently in russia according to Reuters
buoyant urchin
so this operation was sponsored by oil companies.... got it
what was said?
turbid dock
Trump saying that he never talked with Putin about Maduro, so if that's to be taken as true that can bury the conspiracy theory about them two splitting the world....
sweet acorn
what was said?
he keeps on saying that the oil companies are going to be funding the restructuring of oil infrastructure and that is going to improve the US
sweet acorn
An interesting aside: https://x.com/JoePompliano/status/2007455311351718118
hm interesting
hoary laurel
and now press conference's over
toxic ferry
God that's so much to unpack.
heavy kettle
Asked about the potential presence of U.S. forces in Venezuela, Trump said that there would be a “presence in Venezuela as it pertains to oil.
From NYT live feed linked above
ionic egret
and with an unreliable narrator, so OSINT vs speculation/scenarios is going to be more important than ever
jade notch
Does anyone happen to have the timestamp of when Trump/Rubio started talking a lot about Cuba?
ionic egret
I don't know that a gift link to the live thread was ever posted so here it is and I'll pin it https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/world/trump-united-states-strikes-venezuela?unlocked_article_code=1.BlA.N1hv.CcOlii49oCsd&smid=nytcore-android-share
delicate kiln
and now press conference's over
"Standby for more live" though... the stream is still going. (with some hot mic activity... I just heard 'ugh god damnit' 😅
jade notch
https://fxtwitter.com/atrupar/status/2007505568630554735
This quote is what caught my eye ear.
delicate kiln
https://www.pizzint.watch/ reports a 270% spike at Papa Johns Pizza and We, The Pizza, while the other Pentagon pizza places are quieter than usual. Do with that what you will.
timid pawn
https://www.pizzint.watch/ reports a 270% spike at *Papa Johns Pizza* and *We, T...
#1413617230838501458 message
Was joking with folks that the new hotness sure seems to be Papa Johns over Dominos
turbid dock
Thread on verified disinformation being posted about Venezuela https://bsky.app/profile/shayan86.bsky.social/post/3mbjy54flhc2u
rapid star
Have China or Russia given statements yet? Interested to see their responses given their relations with Venezuela
neat oar
Have China or Russia given statements yet? Interested to see their responses giv...
This is from Russia’s foreign ministry: "This morning, the United States committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela.
The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded.
Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside.”
fallen harness
Have China or Russia given statements yet? Interested to see their responses giv...
China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US' blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president. Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it, Chinese FM spokesperson made the remarks on the US Military Strikes on Venezuela.
"We call on the US to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries' sovereignty and security," said the spokesperson.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352136.shtml
rapid star
Thank you
delicate kiln
An interesting aside: https://x.com/JoePompliano/status/2007455311351718118
I can't seem to find this particular position "Maduro out by January..." - ~~am I searching wrong or is this disinformation?
https://polymarket.com/search?_q=maduro-out-by~~
nvm https://polymarket.com/@0x31a56e9E690c621eD21De08Cb559e9524Cdb8eD9-1766730765984
sand spoke
I think its the weapons charge that surprises people.
In US federal court, when charging someone with a drug offense, it is pretty much standard procedure, if there is a weapon involved, to charge them as it multiplies the penalty and is intended to pressure the defendant to plead guilty.
delicate kiln
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r9GbtzPigw
AP now streaming Live Scenes in Caracas
midnight dirge
In US federal court, when charging someone with a drug offense, it is pretty muc...
I didn't realize those charges are not new, they were part of the 2020 indictment.
sand spoke
I didn't realize those charges are not new, they were part of the [2020 indictme...
I wasn’t aware either. Good to know.
oak marlin
I can't seem to find this particular position "Maduro out by January..." - ~~am ...
The account is brand new and only voted on three other Venezuela conflict related positions, super strange
naive dew
Senate moving quickly to respond https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5671074-senate-war-powers-resolution-venezuela-vote/
hasty bloom
Interesting wrinkle regarding the whole US running Venezuela claim that Trump made as OPEC has a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
ionic egret
Interesting wrinkle regarding the whole US running Venezuela claim that Trump m...
do you have a link, so I don't have to go Google if this is true?
weak ibex
steady elk
Have I missed anything? 😬
hoary laurel
Trump's Truth Social account just recently posted bunch of photos of Venezuela operation - side note, not sure what that emoji in the background is all about
Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115832480524727905
https://bsky.app/profile/sebastianmurdock.bsky.social/post/3mbjzkppihk2b
ionic egret
looks like they just had a search term in Twitter and it's from a feed?
hoary laurel
yeah looks like it
summer sparrow
It's fuzzy, but the term appears to be "Venezuela"
pseudo surge
I was about to say @summer sparrow
hoary laurel
Another photo of the Venezuela operation room but it's in black and white - guess the Trump team was eager to post/see what's been happening on X https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115832487751046400
karmic gulch
At the 46-second mark, images of corpses appear. https://x.com/jesusmedinae/status/2007512790802768259?s=46
delicate kiln
Have I missed anything? 😬
"OK thank you very much, this is big stuff. [...] Late last night and early today [...] overwhelming military power air land and sea (sic) was used to launch a spectacular assault - and it was an assault like people have not seen since world war two. It was a force against a heavily fortified militay fortress in the heart of Caracas to bring outlaw dictator Nicolas Maduro to justice. This was one of the most stunning effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence [etc... you can fill in the rest]" (Trump)
weak ibex
Legal question (pls only answer if you actually know what you are talking about, but maybe we have the experts here):
Maduro has lost the election in July 2024 and therefore only claims illegitimately to be president of Venezuela. Can he still legally argue to be entitled to specific international protection as other heads of state are?
I know that this does not matter de facto (as the US will just do whatever they want anyways) but what is the de jure situation in such a case? I had some international law in my bachelors but I don't remember that we actually discussed this case
hoary laurel
Another photo of the Venezuela operation room but it's in black and white - gues...
regarding the black and white photo
https://bsky.app/profile/thepreaux.bsky.social/post/3mbk2s4zx3s2h
Bluesky
silk tree
ruby heart
Hi, since you're new here, let me explain: we ask people to scroll back and check whether something has already been posted, so that we don't get the same thing on repeat.
olive anchor
Hi, since you're new here, let me explain: we ask people to scroll back and chec...
ah i see
naive dew
Statement Schatz https://x.com/brianschatz/status/2007521476186882294?t=TSrx97rE...
xcanxel version: https://xcancel.com/brianschatz/status/2007521476186882294#m
from May 2024: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/09/trump-asks-oil-executives-campaign-finance-00157131
"Donald Trump asked oil industry executives last month to donate $1 billion to aid his campaign"
sacred lantern
Delcy Rodriguez is speaking live (she's the one who Trump suggested was going to work with the US to run the country) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-TJWjqWsSU
She says the international community has to acknowledge that this is a naked aggression with the goal of taking over Venezuela's oil
Also, she's not in Russia
naive dew
sacred lantern
Delcy R.: "We demand the immediate release of our President, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores"
Doesn't sound like she's a US puppet
karmic gulch
There are unconfirmed reports of approximately 90 people injured. https://x.com/jesusmedinae/status/2007524565245931952?s=46
X
sacred lantern
Delcy R.: "We will never again be skaves. We will never again be the colony of any empire"
She says that the Venezuelan gov't has always been open for constructive talks with Washington, and that instead the White House has chosen to break international law and launch this attack
steady elk
Some footage of the aftermath at Higuerote (Had a quick scan to see if this had been posted...apologies if I'm doubling up)
X
sonic moss
She says that the Venezuelan gov't has always been open for constructive talks w...
have there been any negotiations on this matter in recent times?
delicate kiln
Some footage of the aftermath at Higuerote (Had a quick scan to see if this had ...
The videos on X are not available for me (age restriction, not a validated account), is there a way y'all can archive them as well? (if that's allowed - mods?)
surreal mantle
The videos on X are not available for me (age restriction, not a validated accou...
if you put "cancel" after "x" in "x com" you will access a public proxy
fallen harness
The videos on X are not available for me (age restriction, not a validated accou...
https://xcancel.com/abelandia/status/2007500840374857809 does this work?
sacred lantern
have there been any negotiations on this matter in recent times?
Yes
fallen harness
have there been any negotiations on this matter in recent times?
allegedly, both parties reporting the other refused their offer.
sweet acorn
Thread on verified disinformation being posted about Venezuela https://bsky.app/...
one of my firends is convinced this is real.
turbid dock
Full thread here of Delcy's latest intervention (don't mind the author of the thread, just some random :p ) https://bsky.app/profile/giancarlofiorella.bsky.social/post/3mbk4qu7jrk2m
steady elk
OSINTDefender's Twitter profile in the situation room feed is a hoot
turbid dock
one of my firends is convinced this is real.
Link the post from Shayan, if that doesn't work then time to move on
sweet acorn
Link the post from Shayan, if that doesn't work then time to move on
"bro i saw it in the news it was in the airstrip"
placid orchid
I guess a giveaway is that the date looks like its from a 1990s camera.
turbid dock
"bro i saw it in the news it was in the airstrip"
For context, Shayan works for BBC verify. If that isn't "the news"...
sweet acorn
i dont even care at this point let them belive what they wanna believe 🥀 . they did capture him sigh 💔
sweet acorn
OSINTDefender's Twitter profile in the situation room feed is a hoot
is there a xcancel link to his profile?
steady elk
Possibly Maduro inbound from GTMO
delicate kiln
Possibly Maduro inbound from GTMO
Oh neat, I tracked that plane a couple hours ago when it was on its way there from Miami. If true that was a really quick exchange then.
hoary laurel
Possibly Maduro inbound from GTMO
Could be - been watching it ever since I saw this post
https://bsky.app/profile/jjindc.bsky.social/post/3mbk3odrz2s2i
solar sigil
China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US' blatant use of force ag...
But there won’t be any movement on the Chinese front? Just statements least they provoke all other actors to move
To me this is like an Arch Duke Ferdinand situation.
fallen harness
But there won’t be any movement on the Chinese front? Just statements least they...
I am not aware of any movement, just seeing the global reactions
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended the US military action in Venezuela on Saturday, calling it legitimate 'defence'
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/legitimate-italy-pm-giorgia-meloni-on-us-military-action-in-venezuela/ar-AA1Tvkjo
solar sigil
Welcome back the Axis powers, what will meta think now that US has switched sides
fallen harness
German politicians and commentators on Saturday took mixed stances, with some applauding Maduro's removal and others condemning what they called the abandonment of the rules-based order of the post-1945 Western world.
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/germany-urges-political-solution-venezuela-crisis-2026-01-03/
turbid dock
Just a quick PSA, some footage of dead Venezuelan soldiers are showing up, I haven't seen anything too graphic but remember to be mindful about your mental hygiene.
midnight dirge
Just a quick PSA, some footage of dead Venezuelan soldiers are showing up, I hav...
▶️ Given this helpful heads up, please be mindful of fellow community members and server #rules about graphic content:
- Do use
||spoiler tags||and include content warnings so others can choose whether to view. - If in doubt, do message @pulsar crater with questions before posting.
dreamy narwhal
Just a quick PSA, some footage of dead Venezuelan soldiers are showing up, I hav...
Not in the mood to look personally, but is there any indication what their role was? e.g. those who guard the head of state, those who operating AD equipment, or is it simply too difficult to tell right now?
midnight dirge
▶️ Given this helpful heads up, please be mindful of fellow community members an...
turbid dock
Not in the mood to look personally, but is there any indication what their role ...
I only have seen picture of bodies in the ground, shared by Venezuelan Telegram channels. I will not post a link here even if I think worse has been posted in this server.
Not sure if we can tell their role from them.
midnight dirge
Not in the mood to look personally, but is there any indication what their role ...
There's images circulating reportedly of the Ayala Battalion at Fuerte Tiuna where Maduro was located nearby.
dreamy narwhal
There's images circulating reportedly of the Ayala Battalion at Fuerte Tiuna whe...
Thanks 👍
solar sigil
There's images circulating reportedly of the Ayala Battalion at Fuerte Tiuna whe...
Ayala are Venezuelan troops or US?
sacred lantern
Venezuelan
solar sigil
How worried should we be from Chicken little claiming the sky is falling- getting one’s boots
I am worried about world war 3 to clear up any confusion
sacred lantern
No I wouldnt worry about that in this case
solar sigil
What factors make it non plausible for it not to trigger a world war
sacred lantern
That's not the sortta thing we'd discuss here, we like to keep tehse channels for sharing news
Don't wanna clog it up
solar sigil
Oh ok where can I continue this conversation
sacred lantern
Write up in Spanish of Rodriguez's speech
sacred lantern
Oh ok where can I continue this conversation
You can try in #chit-chat
solar sigil
Grazie signore
naive dew
delicate kiln
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=ac06f0&lat=34.756&lon=-81.481&zoom=6.7&showTrace=2026-01-03
Looks like JENA1 (the plane previously reported to have flown from KRIC via Miami to GTMO, and is now on its way back) is about 150nm from Richmond VA (KRIC). It's a joint civil-military airport, maybe there are some witnesses on the ground who report on what's going there. If it's really them, we should expect increased security perimeters.
naive dew
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=ac06f0&lat=34.756&lon=-81.481&zoom=6.7&show...
Maduro is expected at Stewart Airport this afternoon #1413617230838501458 message
reef birch
Does the senate resolution have the votes to pass?
delicate kiln
Maduro is expected at Stewart Airport this afternoon https://discord.com/channel...
indeed, JENA1 just flew past Richmond straight towards NYC
hoary laurel
Not surprising
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2026/01/03/caribbean-flights-canceled-venezuela-puerto-rico/
archived: https://archive.ph/mPQjJ
delicate kiln
There was a NOTAM for Miami (VIP, for a duration of 28 hours) earlier today https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_0122
nothing for New York yet, though. However, flight is no longer visible on abdsexchange. nvm it's still there
steady elk
Covered bodies visible in the linked photos
||https://x.com/jesusmedinae/status/2007512790802768259||
delicate kiln
lots of delays in NYC airports, but I can't tell if it's a normal amount or not 😂
viral crater
There was a NOTAM for Miami (VIP, for a duration of 28 hours) earlier today http...
JENA 1 aproaching NY
warm heath
lots of delays in NYC airports, but I can't tell if it's a normal amount or not ...
May be unrelated, NYC has VIPs/government flights all the time with minimal impact, and SWF is quite far from the city/other NYC-system airports
delicate kiln
There was a NOTAM for Miami (VIP, for a duration of 28 hours) earlier today http...
I actually don't think the NOTAM is relevant here, JENA1 departed from Fort Lauderdale (KFLL) which is well south of that airspace.
https://www.broadcastify.com/webPlayer/40612
is that the correct airport?
😂 watching all those "ATC vs pilot" videos with Kelsey finally pays off, I kinda get what's going on
viral crater
https://www.broadcastify.com/webPlayer/40612
is that the correct airport?
i can't tell, its getting way far from there
its turning
true ingot
The plane carrying Maduro made a stop at Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla. https://teleonce.com/noticias/locales/captan-momento-en-que-maduro-hace-parada-en-puerto-rico-tras-ser-arrestado/
delicate kiln
its turning
it's probably gonna go for runway 6, which is the longer runway and going west-east doesn't require much taxi, because the restricted military area is at the end of that runway nvm looks like it's going for 27
calm saddle
Legal question (pls only answer if you actually know what you are talking about,...
some analysis of that
https://www.execfunctions.org/p/on-the-legality-of-the-venezuela
(archived https://archive.ph/l13Da)
ruby heart
Has there been any sign of his wife since the kidnap? I don't think I missed it, but just checking.
delicate kiln
"JENA1 runway 27 final approach 10 miles" cleared to land
viral crater
10 miles
sacred lantern
She hasn't shown up in pics, no
hoary laurel
Not gonna lie - didn't expect spending my Saturday watching a plane https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=ac06f0
steady elk
some analysis of that
https://www.execfunctions.org/p/on-the-legality-of-the-ven...
Probably worth watching this
steady elk
Not gonna lie - didn't expect spending my Saturday watching a plane https://glob...
You and 68,000 of your closest friends
delicate kiln
went up from 7 listeners to 142...
oooh and there is some tension with another pilot 😂 wonder if someone's gonna get a number to call
vast sequoia
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/ is showing the approach
delicate kiln
indeed... aaaaand touchdown JENA1
"going left on A5" - "going eastbound on alpha, JENA1"
now "right turn on 3-4"
pallid beacon
The nytimes live chat (see links above) says (just now 18:26) "President Trump i...
I thought there was someone else who is supposed to be taking over as temporary leader. Delcy is VP but regulation wise i heard it was officially someone else. I'll see if i can find the link
ruby heart
now "right turn on 3-4"
Are you listening in?
delicate kiln
Are you listening in?
yes - I've trained many hours for this moment
marsh geyser
I thought there was someone else who is supposed to be taking over as temporary ...
https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-01-03/with-maduro-in-us-custody-who-governs-in-venezuela.html Says Delcy is 2nd in line, then the head of the National Assembly (who happens to be Delcy's brother)
delicate kiln
they're on Foxtrott now, near the army base bottom right
this is where they are now
sweet acorn
are they gona say anything??
delicate kiln
Looks like we can stay tuned in to the channel, we can expect him to be transported via helicopter to the next transportation point, and the to the same facility where Luigi Mangione sits.
I think this is a good time to make a bet at polymarket. One of the other bets our "insider" made (see above) was that there will be a mugshot released before . Considering they just said he will be booked like any normal inmate, I think we can make some easy money here 😂
edit: he didn't bet on that actually, but the bet does exist
junior fable
Let it ride folks
sweet acorn
is the broadcat for atc going to say more stuff @viral crater
delicate kiln
https://polymarket.com/event/maduro-mugshot-released-by-monday?tid=1767477393932 ooooooh someone is BUYING that just jumped from 60 to 75% within seconds
viral crater
don't think so. They been talking about the helis around the airport and other aircrafts
i think they are about to get out (?)
😐
delicate kiln
they're not really cutting back to ice skating~~ now, are they???~~ 😂 no OK looks like the stream is set to stay on the airplane... they actually cut back to "our regular programming" and showed some people ice skating.... the audacity of some people
viral crater
Bait lol
delicate kiln
according to the stream, this is where they will bring him: https://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/bro/
at least until Monday, until his first court hearing
viral crater
According to Alcon Intel's info there are more than 90 injured military and several deceased.
Report from military hospital:
Report Hospitals Venezuela
(Updated 03/01/26 2pm)
CARACAS
H. University of Caracas: no injuries or
deceased
H. Magallanes de Catia: not injured or
deceased
H. Domingo Luciani: no injuries or
deceased
H. Vargas: no injuries or deaths
Rescarven La Carlota: no injuries no
deceased
H. Victorino Santaella: no injuries or
deceased
H. Military Carlos Arvelo: more than 60
military wounded and several dead no
accounted for
Hospitalito de Fuerte Tiuna: more 30
military wounded and several dead no
accounted for
H. Pérez de León: 1 injured
BOLIVAR:
Hospitals without incidents
ARAGUA:
Hospitals without incidents
MÉRIDA:
Hospitals without incidents
Total injured: more than 90 injured
military and several deceased (no
have been accounted for). They do not report
civilians injured or killed so far
delicate kiln
this seems to be our news helicopter by the way. there are three hovering around, but this one's perspective tracks with the position of the plane the most stable over time (the others are civilian choppers as well though)
here we go, agents coming down
steady elk
Didn't see his wife?
delicate kiln
"Chopper4 landing Helipad, cleared to land." Camera handoff at the end there to the other chopper (N24NY) for the view on the hangar marked "New York State Police-Aviation". Sounded like all three choppers have called in with the tower to either leave or land. That's it then. (sorry, meant to mark the viewing angle and building, there, but you can connect the dots... the other chopper, now north of the hangar in the restricted zone, while chopper 4 remained south and then called tower to leave right after camera handoff)
midnight dirge
According to Alcon Intel's info there are more than 90 injured military and seve...
Do you have a link to your source?
viral crater
Do you have a link to your source?
Nope, i had to copy paste. They don't have X,Bsky. I had to join their IG channel to see that kind of info and you can't see channels on PC.
My bad if it could be misleading
rocky fable
ruby heart
"Chopper4 landing Helipad, cleared to land." Camera handoff at the end there to ...
I was wondering which pad was #4 and the map appears to be different from the actual markings. 4 is the middle one of 7 in front of the building.
midnight dirge
Nope, i had to copy paste. They don't have X,Bsky. I had to join their IG channe...
So that others can better evaluate, from a Venezuelan reporter (link)
I suspect they are the same list. One may be a unattributed translation.
X
viral crater
So that others can better evaluate, from a Venezuelan reporter [(link)](https:/...
Let me check the translation (i speak spanish)
junior fable
Live stream from CBS News Sky2:
https://www.cbsnews.com/live/
delicate kiln
I was wondering which pad was #4 and the map appears to be different from the ac...
civilian helipads are not near the hangar, the ones you see there are in the restricted area, only one was occupied by a small black heli, the place was at about a 15-20 deg angle (see by maps screenshot above, the arrow is supposed to be the plane).
viral crater
So that others can better evaluate, from a Venezuelan reporter [(link)](https:/...
@midnight dirge is the same report
sand leaf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpSitMFfvaw
The strike she is talking about is from the US targeting a Venezulan BUK air defense system
#1413617230838501458 message
delicate kiln
@ruby heart that should clear it up
midnight dirge
NYT civillian casualty report:
In Catia la Mar, a city just west of the Caracas airport, the air strikes hit a three-story civilian apartment complex, knocking out an exterior wall and killing at least one older woman, the victim’s family said.
The woman, Rosa González, died in the strike and a second person was seriously wounded, the family said. One woman in the building said she was hit and nearly lost her eye. Another person, a 70-year-old man named Jorge who declined to give his last name, said he “lost everything” when the bomb exploded.”
At leaast one reported dead, one wounded.
For reference (not geolocated), Catia La Mar in relation to the airport.
viral crater
That would be for "Hospital Magallanes de Catia"
delicate kiln
looks like the chopper that stayed south east of the airfield (N95TV) also got shots of Maduro leaving the plane: || https://t.me/PatriaDigital/63119 || (telegram channel is relatively clean, but I haven't checked everything over there)
viral crater
That would be for "Hospital Magallanes de Catia"
Magallanes or "José Gregorio Herrnández"
Wich they are the same. The oficial name is General Hospital of West "José Gregorio Hernández"
viral crater
looks like the chopper that stayed south east of the airfield (N95TV) also got s...
Yeah, they were streaming that angle on my local TV news
coarse goblet
The insider betting man cashed 400k$
https://www.axios.com/2026/01/03/maduro-capture-bets-trade-prediction-markets
hoary laurel
apologies if this has been posted already few hours ago
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/03/trump-venezuela-oil-us-companies-return-00709782
archived: https://archive.ph/QLfVV
Administration officials have told oil executives in recent weeks that if they want compensation for their rigs, pipelines and other seized property, then they must be prepared to go back into Venezuela now and invest heavily in reviving its shattered petroleum industry, two people familiar with the administration’s outreach told POLITICO on Saturday. The outlook for Venezuela’s shattered oil infrastructure is one of the major questions following the U.S. military action that captured leader Nicolás Maduro.
But people in the industry said the administration’s message has left them still leery about the difficulty of rebuilding decayed oil fields in a country where it’s not even clear who will lead the country for the foreseeable future.
“They’re saying, ‘you gotta go in if you want to play and get reimbursed,’” said one industry official familiar with the conversations.The offer has been on the table for the last 10 days, the person said. “But the infrastructure currently there is so dilapidated that no one at these companies can adequately assess what is needed to make it operable.”
steady elk
The insider betting man cashed 400k$
https://www.axios.com/2026/01/03/maduro-cap...
Hegseth via Signal?
delicate kiln
our main chopper (chopper 4 aka N24NY) is now also back on his way to Linden (KLDJ)... while N95TV (the alternative perspective) is still hovering about 2 miles south east of the hangar at 3500ft
JENA1 taxiing for departure now
midnight dirge
Vanotor Tech imagery of Maduro's suspected entrance at Fuerte Tiuna miitary base via Christiaan Triebert (link)
weak ibex
some analysis of that
https://www.execfunctions.org/p/on-the-legality-of-the-ven...
thank you so much! I will read into it later
viral crater
https://x.com/amilcarrock/status/2007377531264188720?s=20 i think this is another angle of the Apache footage from earlier
X
delicate kiln
JENA1 about to take off again. that pilot is cool as a cucumber. ATC is super friendly as well
hoary laurel
Now Hegseth is on CBS
https://www.cbsnews.com/live/
Hegseth is claiming this is a law enforcement operation
delicate kiln
"JENA1 cleared for takeoff, thanks for all the help tonight, JENA1" - what a night. hypnotoad signing off as well, oscar alpha delta, good night
hoary laurel
Now Hegseth is defending Trump's action
ruby heart
Hegseth is claiming this is a law enforcement operation
As opposed to military, you mean?
weak ibex
As opposed to military, you mean?
afaik (and have learned from this article https://www.execfunctions.org/p/on-the-legality-of-the-venezuela shared by @calm saddle ) the narrative might evolve around "this whole military invasion was actually a means to protect what is in its core a law enforcement action which is part of the domestic powers of the executive/president which is why it doesn't break the UN-charter" (which is of course not how this works but what the US administration might argue)
so basically the US was doing a domestic law enforcement action trying to find a fugitive who just happens to be in Venezuela and therefore the brave law enforcers need the support of the firepower of the US army and now they probably just need someone to say that publically with a straight face (but I seriously recommend reading the article linked above!)
viral crater
How convenient lol
ionic egret
Hey all! Let's keep the commentary to a minimum in this thread. It's more appropriate in #chit-chat . Not adding commentary helps others catch up quickly.
sacred lantern
NYT reporting "at least 40" killed https://bsky.app/profile/leahmcelrath.bsky.social/post/3mbkkla6frs24
hoary laurel
Hegseth is claiming this is a law enforcement operation
This is my very rough go at transcribing this specific question from Tony Dokoupil at CBS News to Secretary Hegseth
Timestamp - 02:29 to 03:10
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/pete-hegseth-president-trump-sets-terms-running-venezuela/
Question: If that comes to pass, will you ask for approval, do you believe legally you need to ask Congress for approval?
Answer from Hegseth: Well we're postured. And the president said the blockade continues. No oil going in and out. No drug boats allowed to traffic the Caribbean or the East Pac. So we're still posed there. This was a law enforcement exercise. This was the Department of War in support of the Department of Justice, pulling out an indicted person who will ultimately face justice and Marco was clear there that this is something you don't notify Congress about beforehand but ... of course we're going to keep Congress involved. They're our partners and would do so.
steady elk
I've only seen one 'possible' video, but has anyone seen any clips of the possible use of LUCAS drones?
sacred lantern
no
midnight dirge
Fuerte Tiuna post raid imagery from Vantor via TWZ (link)
Before (22 December) and after raid imagery (3 January)
summer sparrow
This is what I'm referring to....sound sync seems all out of wack though
https:...
I saw part of this elsewhere. My read of it is that the sound and the explosion are unrelated. The explosion looks more like a secondary effect rather than an explosive munition.
hoary laurel
For the 11 am ET press conference that should be starting soon
https://www.youtu...
The entire transcript from the press conference earlier today in case anyone wants to review back
https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/transcript/donald-trump-press-conference-venezuela-maduro-january-3-2026/
steady elk
I saw part of this elsewhere. My read of it is that the sound and the explosion ...
That's what I think as well 👍
trail prawn
This link has a video of the Venezuelan Vice President responding to events and saying Maduro needs to be released. https://www.threads.com/@feministajones/post/DTEadkXDF_u
looking for a link to confirm statements about Trump in reference to VP.
junior fable
Hegseth is live on CBS again: He is done for the night (at least on CBS.)
https://www.cbsnews.com/live/
His talking points:
The US will take back its oil from Venezuela.
The drugs and criminals will stop flowing.
Trump will be setting the terms of the "regime change."
19:22 CST update:
This was done for freedom, security, and prosperity for the whole hemisphere.
Hegseth referenced that this may be the first step towards broader operations across the globe (i.e., Cuba and Iran).
By doing this, we are reestablishing the Monroe Doctrine and are benefiting both the US and Venezuela.
waxen atlas
Interesting timing with this one. https://x.com/katiemiller/status/2007541679293944266?
X
true ingot
Fuerte Tiuna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPlW6RXKJjw
ionic egret
Interesting timing with this one. https://x.com/katiemiller/status/2007541679293...
we've seen this in a few places in the server today, but the most appropriate place is #1330709161385922650 (otherwise chat about what Trump (and his admin) may or may not do will eat the server alive (just like it's eaten all of social media alive 🙁 )
hoary laurel
This is my very rough go at transcribing this specific question from Tony Dokoup...
Speaking of Marco
https://bskye.app/profile/washingtonpost.com/post/3mbkqyxes4b2p
rough timber
I keep seeing americans on social media claim people in Venezuela are "celebreting en masse on the streets".
Anyone see any legitimate, local or regional sources or news of anything of the sort happening? I haven't.
Apologies if wrong thread, etc.
sacred lantern
I keep seeing americans on social media claim people in Venezuela are "celebreti...
This has not been the case as far as I've seen
No reports of that, and I haven't seen any videos. Also have relatives in a few cities in Venezuela and no one's reported anything like that. In fact, the opposite seems to be true; streets pretty quiet, folks at home laying low
Venezuelan independent media:
https://www.elnacional.com/
https://efectococuyo.com/
https://elpitazo.net/
summer sparrow
There's also AP's survey of photos of reactions. Most of the large groups are not in Venezuela:
https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-25a01a23e7b936b430901428ab0d0907
calm saddle
so basically the US was doing a domestic law enforcement action trying to find a...
some more on legality https://bskye.app/profile/sranderson.bsky.social/post/3mbjmlijt4s2v
https://www.npr.org/2026/01/03/nx-s1-5665724/can-the-u-s-claim-a-law-enforcement-justification-for-entering-venezuela
sand leaf
Short thread by Bellingcat focusing on the helicopters in the Maduro capture operation
https://x.com/i/status/2007636993694675136
X
midnight dirge
Maduro and Cilia Flores in DEA custody (link.)
Venezuela's Supreme Court orders Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the role of interim president - El Nacional (link)
USS Iwo Jima and San Antonio spotted by X/SA_Defensea (link)
Cordinates: 12.08251, -65.67910
trail prawn
midnight dirge
MV Ocean Trader (special ops mothership) at 12.201867, -65.725858 X/SA_defensa (link)
runic pond
https://www.threads.com/@yasharali/post/DTEroFZjVhj
Could you post the bitly link in here independent of the threads post? I cant acess it since it tells me to install threads
runic pond
https://www.semafor.com/article/01/03/2026/new-york-times-washington-post-held-o...
Thanks!
https://www.npr.org/2026/01/04/g-s1-104439/venezuelans-wonder-who-in-charge
So no one knows who the hell is actually in charge of the damn nation
Conflicting reports are aplenty
Trump claims One thing, state media shows another
"She's essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again," Trump told reporters of Rodríguez, who faced U.S. sanctions during Trump's first administration for her role in undermining Venezuelan democracy.
In a major snub, Trump said opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was awarded last year's Nobel Peace Prize, didn't have the support to run the country.
Trump said Rodríguez had a long conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in which Trump claimed she said, "'We'll do whatever you need.'"
But
Key Venezuelan officials appeared to have survived the military operation and held onto their jobs, at least for now. There was no immediate sign that the U.S. was running Venezuela.
Rodríguez tried to project strength and unity among the ruling party's many factions, downplaying any hint of betrayal. In remarks on state television before the court decision, she demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and denounced the U.S. operation as a flagrant violation of the United Nations charter.
There is alot more in the article but basically, no one knows what the hell Is going on, everyone is claiming different things
midnight dirge
Venezuelan journalist Francisco Poleo's post on X offers insight/context into what's being shared by some noteworthy accounts.
**Key quotes: **
On Machado:
"the U.S. does not believe that María Corina Machado and the opposition have the operational capacity to seize power in Venezuela because they do not control, or meaningfully fracture, the military."
On Delcy Rodriguez's rhetoric yesterday:
"U.S. officials also assess that Delcy’s harsh public rhetoric today was aimed inward, at the chavista base, not outward. That messaging is understood as domestic signaling. "
As such, he characterizes Washington's strategy as:
The plan now on the table is for Delcy Rodríguez to stabilize the country with U.S. backing and then call for general elections. This is not framed as an endorsement of the regime, but as a containment and transition strategy. Washington is explicit about one thing: this is not a partnership of equals. The United States is running the process, the lines are being managed through Rubio, and the leverage is entirely asymmetric. Delcy is the instrument, not the center of gravity.
Context note: Francisco Poleo is from a prominent Venezuelan opposition journalism family (El Nuevo País/Zeta). All family members have been in exile since 2006-2016 due to persecution. His analysis aligns with Trump's Saturday press conference claims about Rubio-Rodríguez communications, though Rodríguez's public statements remain defiant. El Español has published several of his articles.
karmic gulch
Security camera footage shows an explosion near residential homes. https://x.com/franciscoamarin/status/2007646328453771625?s=46
X
delicate kiln
Do we have a list of Venezuelan Telegram channels to monitor / scrape for image material and / or disinformation type stuff? If not, I might get on that. (DM me if you don't want to post that here.)
karmic gulch
Do we have a list of Venezuelan Telegram channels to monitor / scrape for image ...
I have just sent some of them
https://x.com/madeleintlsur/status/2007665100099072489?s=46 TeleSUR reports that an 87-year-old woman was injured in Catia La Mar, La Guaira. However, the report is unclear, and it has not been confirmed that the injuries were caused by an explosion. The information comes from TeleSUR journalists and should be treated with caution.
X
midnight dirge
Puerto Rican plane spotter/radio monitor @r4streando recorded medevac communications with ATC at Rafael Hernández Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla on January 3rd at 1700z. (link).
Note: It is not known whether these flights were related to the US military operation in Venezuela conducted the same day.
X
midnight dirge
🇨🇴 Colombia's Unified Command Post (PMU) announces:
- 30,000 troop deployment to Venezuelan border
- "Yellow" alert for border hospital network
- Digital migrant registration system activated
- UN Security Council meeting called for Monday
- Economic Emergency declaration under evaluation
Source: "Comunicado oficial del Puesto de Mando Unificado (PMU) ante la situación en la frontera colombo-venezolana," Presidencia de la República de Colombia, 3 January 2026
Crossposted to #latin-america-caribbean
torn aurora
EDIT : NOW CONFIRMED AS FALSE It was the **Observatorio Cagigal** which was stru...
Regarding my earlier post on the US strikes, they did not hit the mausoleum and the video going round of the strike has been located as the Observatorio Cagigal https://x.com/trbrtc/status/2007513595639410775 See also : https://x.com/cazamosfakenews/status/2007421616880296084
ionic egret
Interesting article about photo analysis https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/insider/how-the-times-assessed-maduro-photos.html?unlocked_article_code=1.B1A.xaCN.6NgotpmbCKTO&smid=url-share
(gift link)
sacred lantern
Efecto Cocuyo has published a list of names of 18 of the fatalities. 15 of them were from the "No. 6 Presidential Security Battalion": https://efectococuyo.com/la-humanidad/estos-son-los-nombres-de-18-victimas-que-dejaron-los-bombardeos-en-venezuela/
Bluesky
midnight dirge
4 January article on casualties from Venezuelan digital news outlet **Tal Qual ** "Estos son los nombres de 18 víctimas que dejaron los bombardeos en Venezuela"
Total Deaths
- Confirmed deaths: 25 (as of 6:00 AM, January 4)
- The article notes that the New York Times reported 40 deaths citing an anonymous Venezuelan government source
Batallón de Seguridad Presidencial número 6 suffered 15 deaths in total - the most confirmed in the article.
Additional locations reporting deaths include:
- Comandancia General de la Milicia Bolivariana, 500 meters from Cuartel de la Montaña - two deaths
- Aeropuerto Caracas Óscar Machado Zuloaga, en Valles del Tuy - two deaths
- Grupo Misilístico de Defensa Aérea Almirante José María García - one death
- Estación de Radar de Altos de Irapa - one death
The article states one civilian was killed in municipio El Hatillo near the "El Volcán" communication antennas; her daughter was injured.
The report is a collaboration with Runrun.es and **El Pitazo ** (Instagram link)
Instagram
calm saddle
https://bsky.app/profile/theatlantic.com/post/3mbmgysly3d2y
Atlantic, Trump Threatens Venezuela’s New Leader With a Fate Worse Than Maduro’s #1330709161385922650 message
weak ibex
I keep seeing americans on social media claim people in Venezuela are "celebreti...
I do not know what exactly this refers to. As far as I know there have not been any (larger) protests in Venezuela. However keep in mind that a seizable chunk of Venezuelans live in exile and there are many reports of those celebrating, one of the larger occasions in Santiago de Chile, Miami, Madrid with reported thousands of participants but also many other smaller events. It was one of the greatest days in decades for many Venezuelans so no surprise to see them celebrate en masse
I don't know however if there is an overview over all protests/celebrations (probably not), this article collects some:
turbid dock
I do not know what exactly this refers to. As far as I know there have not been ...
I cannot speak of other cities, but here in Madrid there are no major celebrations have been reported by the media, the reception has been mixed given the sidelining of the US administration to the opposition. However there have been protests against the US embassy, mainly by left leaning groups.
weak ibex
I cannot speak of other cities, but here in Madrid there are no major celebratio...
The article that I have linked mentions thousands coming together celebrating in Madrid
others have also reported celebrations in Madrid, including Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuelan-opposition-activists-madrid-warily-cheer-maduro-capture-2026-01-03/
Of course different people in the diaspora will have different opinions, there is no unique "diaspora-opinion"
turbid dock
The article that I have linked mentions thousands coming together celebrating in...
Spanish media doesn't show that. You can see here that some did go, but these celebrations are in the middle of the day in Puerta del Sol on Saturday, which is a place that is crowded no matter what at that time https://elpais.com/america/2026-01-04/la-oposicion-venezolana-entre-el-entusiasmo-y-la-confusion-tras-el-ataque-de-estados-unidos.html#
You can say there were celebrations, yes, but not "thousands".
weak ibex
Spanish media doesn't show that. You can see here that some did go, but these ce...
I do not say anything, that is just the media reports. Do you have different numbers?
I see Reuters as a trustworthy source in general, I would be surprised if they heavily overestimated the numbers
actually there seems to be another celebration right now, probably with much smaller numbers, there is a MARCA livestream:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfQm3KvkSpY
turbid dock
Well, I just linked to El País which is the Spanish equivalent to NYT, and it is headquartered in Madrid, which provides video footage. And as a local myself, I can say that Puerta del Sol is crowded on the middle of a Saturday, especially at this time of the year.
In any case, I don't think that fighting for numbers is going to contribute much.
weak ibex
but yeah anyways, no point in fighting about the numbers. I am just not convinced to not trust them, if even the source you are citing agrees (miles does mean thousands doesn't it? Honest question, my Spanish is like A2 at best :D )
hoary laurel
Speaking of Marco
https://bskye.app/profile/washingtonpost.com/post/3mbkqyxes4...
from few hours ago - looks like the Trump administration is trying to use the law enforcement angle to justify its action
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mbmdppu5er2h
hoary laurel
AP going over the differences between Maduro and Panama’s Manuel Noriega in light of upcoming Maduro's court case in New York tomorrow (Monday - January 5, 2025)
https://apnews.com/article/maduro-noriega-prosecution-legal-immunity-venezuela-panama-c0df9b1ecda36e9e1912729fa7ebf9e4
midnight dirge
For expert legal analysis of Operation Absolute Resolve, Just Security has published:
- Michael Schmitt, Ryan Goodman and Tess Bridgeman, International Law and the U.S. Military and Law Enforcement Operations in Venezuela (Jan. 4, 2026)
- Ryan Goodman, Maduro Capture Operation and the President’s Duty to Faithfully Execute U.N. Charter Assessment of 1989 OLC Opinion (Jan. 3, 2026)
CNN reports on Maduro's scheduled first court appearance:
delicate kiln
"The oil cartel known as OPEC Plus indicated on Sunday that it will not make any sudden changes to oil production in the wake of the U.S. raid on Venezuela. In a statement, the eight members — Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman — reaffirmed the “cautious approach” they set at their last meeting in November, including a pause on increasing production in early 2026." (from the NYT live feed)
https://www.opec.org/pr-detail/587-4-january-2026.html
midnight dirge
Interesting observation by Venezuelan analyst Yaser Trujillo (link)
A Chinese manufactured JH-12 mobile radar near Maduro's capture location was not deployed on the night of the operation, a departure from its standard positioning for the past seven years.
This radar provides low-altitude coverage of the Caracas Valley and surrounding area - the kind of system that would detect incoming low-flying helicopters at night.
Worthwhile read.
JH-12 reference photo from Yaser for reference (link)
ruby heart
Question is whether this was a continuous or whether there were more days without coverage in those 7 years.
The fact it mentions there were sometimes two, indicates that there is some shuffling going on.
ionic egret
Let's put Trump Greenland noises in #1330709161385922650
midnight dirge
Question is whether this was a *continuous* or whether there were more days with...
He notes that it wasn't present on 22 December nor January 3rd. (link)
I suspect assessing continuity would require higher resolution imagery than Sentinel-2 provides.
delicate kiln
Maps of US airstrikes in Northern Venezuela and Caracas, published by ISW.
https://understandingwar.org/research/uncategorized/us-airstrikes-in-venezuela-january-3-2026/
steady elk
This mornings Lawfare livestream on the U.S. Strike on Venezuela and Capture of Nicolás Maduro
delicate kiln
midnight dirge
Amazing plane spotting by AP correspondent Dánica Coto at Rafael Hernández Airport, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (BQN) link (X).
ID'd as a **MC-130J **per @LatAmMilMVMTs on X:
**USAF MC-130J **with the AN/APG-187 Silent Knight Radar but not in full CR-2 configuration as it is missing the AN/ALQ-251 suite and possibly the Honeywell JetWave SATCOM as well
USAF Fact Sheet: MC-130J Commando II
The Commando II flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multiship, low-level infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces, by airdrop or airland and air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. The MC-130J primarily flies missions at night to reduce probability of visual acquisition and intercept by airborne threats. Its secondary mission includes the airdrop of leaflets.
steady elk
For those tracking callsigns
X
There was a B1-B out of Dyess AFB heading south about 4 hours before the attacks started before the signal dropped - it's callsign was COLA31
sweet acorn
this is sick
steady elk
X
summer sparrow
https://x.com/ConflictsW/status/2007943301878481063
The X post appears to be an edit of a longer video from TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@deidad.es/video/7591066378187132161
midnight dirge
The X post appears to be an edit of a longer video from TikTok:
https://www.tikt...
luminous object enters frame at ~1:47
steady elk
The X post appears to be an edit of a longer video from TikTok:
https://www.tikt...
A different angle
X
midnight dirge
A different angle
https://x.com/exzacklyright/status/2007627392735699399
joel.rodriguez308 has at least five videos depicting strikes - some I don't think I've seen posted elsewhere
olive anchor
fallen harness
https://archive.is/oUDGl
“I suggest using the same method to reclaim Taiwan in the future,” one user said in reply to a post with more than 700 likes.
700... ok.
summer sparrow
> “I suggest using the same method to reclaim Taiwan in the future,” one user sa...
Contributions to the discourse are appreciated, basic commentary is not.
fallen harness
Contributions to the discourse are appreciated, basic commentary is not.
just thought to point out a basic fact that is a bit buried in the source. apologies.
frozen thistle
Cuba says 32 of its officers were killed in U.S. raid on Venezuela
Cuban personnel were in Venezuela at the request of Caracas: state TV
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/venezuela-us-cuba-attack-9.7033299
midnight dirge
Cuba announces 32 military personnel were killed in US strikes ; condemns US attack.
Como resultado del criminal ataque perpetrado por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos contra la hermana República Bolivariana de Venezuela, efectuado en la madrugada del 3 de enero de 2026, perdieron la vida en acciones combativas 32 cubanos, quienes cumplían misiones en representación de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias y el Ministerio del Interior, a solicitud de órganos homólogos del país sudamericano.
DeepL translation
As a result of the criminal attack perpetrated by the United States government against the sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the early hours of January 3, 2026, 32 Cubans lost their lives in combat while carrying out missions on behalf of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, at the request of counterpart agencies in the South American country.
The 5th and 6th of January have been declared days of mourning by presidential decree.
Source: ⚠️ Cuban government link: ||https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/es/articulo/nformacion-del-gobierno-revolucionario-sobre-combatientes-caidos-en-cumplimiento-de-su|| ⚠️
sacred lantern
hoary laurel
Not sure who the bearded man is in this video
https://bsky.app/profile/acyn.bsky.social/post/3mbngy7fgaz26
midnight dirge
Not sure who the bearded man is in this video
https://bsky.app/profile/acyn.bsky...
I believe that's US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick
hoary laurel
I believe that's US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick
Thank you! Makes sense to get the Secretary of Commerce involved with the whole getting U.S. oil companies inside Venezuela since it's part of Commerce Sec's mission 'to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce of the United States'.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_Commerce
ruby heart
Hi, posting it would have been okay - except for the fact that someone else already did, five posts before.
I will remind everyone to please first read the channel you’re posting in.
fallen iron
thank you
minor sluice
midnight dirge
Christiaan Triebert's thread on the NYT report on what may be a breakout attempt by ~16 sanctioned tankers from Venezulan waters in defiance of the US blockade on sanctioned vessels.
tip of the hat 🤠 to @ruby heart in #maritime
Christian highlights something I've been following with interest: a surge of US logistic assets to the UK/Germany (link) in the last few days.
midnight dirge
Reuter's Connect releasing photos of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores being transported via helicipter to their initial appearance at the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse
midnight dirge
Infobae reports that a Colombian civllian was killed and her daughter wounded during the strikes at the El Volcán antennas
Pardo, Jhoan, "Ella es Yohana Rodríguez, la colombiana que habría fallecido en bombardeos en Venezuela para capturar a Maduro",) infobae, 5 January 2026.
weak ibex
Christiaan Triebert's [thread ](https://bsky.app/profile/trbrtc.bsky.social/post...
that is some gread OSINT work, thank you for sharing!
midnight dirge
US Secretary of Defense announces censure and reduction of military rank of Senator Mark Kelly a retired US Navy Captain, for video reminding US troops they are not obligated to follow unlawful orders: X Post
Cross-posted to #usa-canada
vxTwitter / fixvx
midnight dirge
US military actives in Venezuela, the Caribbean, and Eastern Pacific
US military activities in Venezuela, the Caribbean, and Eastern Pacific
hoary laurel
Anecdote from a POLITICO journalist and Puerto Rican native
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/01/05/trump-maduro-puerto-rico-venezuela-00710379
archived: https://archive.ph/GgU5T
While I had seen the growing military presence throughout the island myself — at the airport in Ponce, a city in the south, I caught sight of military aircraft parked near the main terminal, for instance — I hadn’t made it to Aguadilla to see the drones my dad kept telling me about. But I think I saw one in the darkness as our airplane prepared to take off at around 4 a.m. Sunday.
And as it turned out, we just missed Maduro himself.As many Puerto Ricans suspected, the former Air Force base at Aguadilla was his first stop on American soil after U.S. special forces captured him in the dead of night and ultimately flew him to New York to await trial in a Brooklyn jail on narco-terrorism and drug-trafficking charges.
The giveaway? The photo that Trump shared on social media of a blindfolded, handcuffed Maduro showed him holding a bottle of what appeared to be Nikini brand water — widely available in Puerto Rico.
Cross-post with #usa-canada
https://www.expressnews.com/news/texas/article/venezuela-wounded-troops-bamc-kelly-field-21276032.php?
frozen thistle
CBC (Canada) is reporting live today on this topic, at the moment focused on Maduro’s court appearance; Maduro to appear before the court at 12:00 ET (right now) https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/livestory/maduro-venezuela-court-appearance-9.7033450
weak ibex
Maduro pleads not guilty (surprise)
frozen thistle
Maduro responsible for 'attacks on the people of the United States,' U.S. ambassador says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/livestory/maduro-venezuela-court-appearance-9.7033450?ts=1767632745075