In a dramatic and unprecedented escalation of the ongoing Venezuela crisis, former US President Donald Trump has taken to social media to share highly provocative content, sending shockwaves through diplomatic circles. The sequence of events, which unfolded on the Truth Social platform, involved the release of military footage followed by a startling personal claim.
Visual Onslaught: From Airstrikes to a Captive Leader
The online offensive began with the publication of what was described as shocking first video footage of airstrikes targeting locations in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. The visuals, marked as originating from US operations, showed intense military action.
Mere minutes after the airstrike video, Trump posted an even more incendiary image. The photograph, which he claimed to be authentic, appeared to show Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro blindfolded and aboard the US Navy amphibious assault ship, the USS Iwo Jima. This direct assertion of capture represented a monumental claim regarding the status of a sitting head of state.
Trump's Declaration: US to 'Run Venezuela' Temporarily
The rapid-fire social media posts were followed hours later by a significant statement from Trump. He declared that the United States would temporarily assume control to "run Venezuela". This interim administration, according to his posts, would remain in place only until a secure and stable transition of power could be orchestrated within the South American nation.
This public declaration of intent to govern a sovereign country marks a radical departure from conventional diplomatic protocols. The strategy of deploying visuals first—the airstrike video and the custody photo—before issuing a formal statement, was noted as a calculated move that amplified the impact both online and on the global political stage.
Immediate Fallout and Regional Tremors
The immediate aftermath of these posts has plunged the situation into deeper uncertainty. Reports indicate that the Venezuelan government, under Maduro's leadership, had activated its national defence command centre and deployed troops in response to the perceived invasion threat prior to these social media revelations.
The authenticity of the photo showing Maduro in custody has not been independently verified by international agencies at this time. However, the very act of its publication by a former US president with significant influence has created a potent narrative, forcing reactions from governments worldwide and potentially altering the strategic calculus in the region.
The events of January 4, 2026, as initiated by Donald Trump, have fundamentally transformed the Venezuela crisis. By leveraging social media to broadcast military actions and make extraordinary claims of capture and impending control, a new and volatile chapter in international relations has been opened, one where digital pronouncements can trigger real-world diplomatic earthquakes.
