Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in custody aboard USS Iwo Jima
Regional leaders moved swiftly early Saturday after reports of U.S. military action in Venezuela, with the Caribbean Community warning that the developments pose serious risks for the wider region.
The Conference of Heads of Government of Caribbean Community convened in emergency session on January 3, describing the situation as one of “grave concern” and confirming that it is closely monitoring events as they unfold.
In a brief statement, the bloc said the reported strikes could have implications for neighbouring states and promised further updates as information becomes available.
The response follows claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during pre-dawn military operations in and around Caracas.
Trump said the operation, which targeted areas including Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, was carried out in coordination with U.S. law enforcement agencies.
According to the communiqué, President Maduro declared a state of external commotion and ordered the full deployment of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, along with the activation of all national defence plans. Citizens and political and social organisations were urged to mobilise in defence of the country’s independence and sovereignty.
The statement also invoked Venezuela’s history of resistance to foreign intervention, referencing its long struggle for independence and the 1902 naval bombardment.
Concluding the communiqué, authorities called for national unity, quoting former president Hugo Chávez: “In the face of any new difficulties, whatever their magnitude, the response of all patriots… is unity, struggle, battle, and victory.”
God will judge us all for what we have done on this earth. We know wrong from right.
The 1902 bombardment reference is not accidental. Venezuela is reminding the world they’ve been here before.
I think all Caribbean leaders should just stary quiet for the time being
I think so. Agreed 💯
The Chávez quote at the end tells you Venezuela is preparing for resistance, not negotiations.
CARICOM watching while the U.S. says it will “run” Venezuela… that should alarm everyone.
CARICOM moving early is the right call. When big powers start firing missiles, small states feel the shockwaves first.