The administration of United States President Donald Trump has significantly escalated military interventions globally since his return to office in January 2025. A detailed list has now emerged, revealing that seven nations have been targeted by American strikes, with the dramatic capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro marking the latest and most audacious operation.
Venezuela: The Latest Target
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the US launched a large-scale military operation in Venezuela, leading to explosions and low-flying aircraft over the capital, Caracas. President Donald Trump confirmed that the operation resulted in the capture of Venezuela's left-wing President, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores.
According to reports from the BBC, the couple was flown to an air base in New York and are currently detained at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Centre. They face charges related to drug and weapons offences. The strike prompted Venezuela to declare a "national emergency" and accuse the US of military aggression.
A Global Campaign of Strikes
The action against Venezuela is part of a broader pattern of US military engagement under Trump's renewed presidency. Here is the full list of nations targeted:
1. Iran
On June 22, 2025, the US Air Force and Navy executed Operation Midnight Hammer, striking three Iranian nuclear facilities: the Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre. The attack utilized fourteen GBU-57A/B MOP "bunker buster" bombs from B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles.
2. Iraq
American forces conducted regular airstrikes and raids in Iraq, primarily targeting Islamic State (ISIS) fighters and their infrastructure. These missions were part of ongoing efforts to counter threats to US troops in the region.
3. Yemen
The year 2025 saw the most sustained US air campaign in Yemen, with repeated strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The Pentagon stated these operations aimed at neutralizing missiles, drones, and radar systems used to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
4. Somalia
The US dramatically intensified its air campaign in Somalia, conducting at least 111 strikes against armed groups like al-Shabaab since Trump's return. A notable strike occurred on December 14, 2025, approximately 50 kilometres northeast of Kismayo.
5. Syria
In December 2025, the US military launched a "massive strike" in central Syria in retaliation for a deadly attack on American forces. The operation involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery hitting over 70 targets with more than 100 precision munitions.
6. Nigeria
The Trump administration concluded its year of African strikes with a Christmas Day attack in Northwest Nigeria. President Trump announced on Truth Social that the strike targeted ISIS terrorists allegedly responsible for killing innocent Christians. He stated, "...if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay."
7. Venezuela
As detailed above, this operation on January 3, 2026, led to the capture of President Maduro, representing a significant escalation in US involvement in South American politics.
International Reactions and Implications
The US strikes, particularly the capture of a sitting head of state, have drawn strong global reactions and raised questions about international law and sovereignty. The move in Venezuela has especially been labelled as an act of "military aggression" by the country's government.
The list, corroborated by reports from Al Jazeera, Fox News, and others, underscores a proactive and often unilateral use of military force by the Trump administration across multiple continents, from the Middle East and Africa to South America.
