AFP’s coverage of the US - Venezuela crisis

Behind the news

Between January 1 and February 17, 2026, more than 600 videos were published, all of which were sourced from AFPTV.
Up to 7 video journalists and stringers were deployed across Caracas, Maracaibo and Cúcuta, on the Colombia–Venezuela border.
On January 3, AFPTV was among the first agencies LIVE on the ground in Caracas following the intervention.
On January 8, AFPTV was the first agency LIVE outside a Venezuelan prison ahead of detainees’ release.
On January 9, AFPTV was the only agency filming the convoy leaving the US Embassy in Caracas during diplomatic talks.

Picture of fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex

Luis JAIMES / AFP, Caracas (Venezuela)

Telling the story in images

AFP footage that shaped global coverage

From January 3, AFP journalists in Caracas captured loud explosions across the Venezuelan capital as US forces launched strikes targeting military sites and infrastructure linked to Nicolás Maduro’s government. Loud explosions, accompanied by sounds resembling aircraft flyovers, were heard in Caracas around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) Saturday, an AFP journalist reported. President Donald Trump announced later that Maduro had been captured during the operation, in a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between him and his Venezuelan arch-foe.
Broadcast by more than 200 channels worldwide, AFP’s exclusive footage from Caracas reached audiences across the globe.

Night view of Caracas taken after a series of explosions heard on January 3, 2026

Federico PARRA / AFP, Caracas (Venezuela)

Hours after the strikes, AFP documented Venezuelan military police guarding the entrance to Fort Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex situated in the south of Caracas, which was one of the targets of overnight US strikes.
This AFP footage was widely broadcast around the world, airing more than 500 times across over 70 channels.

Members of the National Guard stand guard at Fuerte Tiuna

Federico PARRA / AFP, Caracas (Venezuela)

Weeks later, Venezuela's government announced the start of renovations at the notorious Helicoide prison, considered a place of torture, to turn it into a community center after interim president Delcy Rodriguez ordered its closure. For this occasion, AFP published an edit of footage of El Helicoide, which was broadcast by over 80 channels worldwide and was viewed by audiences around the world.