United States military forces conducted a targeted strike inside Venezuelan territory on January 3, 2026, using the AGM‑154C‑1 Joint Stand‑Off Weapon (JSOW) against key infrastructure amid a broader operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. The use of the precision‑guided glide munition was publicly confirmed after Venezuelan officials released photographs showing identifiable fragments of the weapon at a reported impact location.
Photographs released by Venezuelan authorities depicted recognizable components of the AGM‑154C‑1, including sections of its outer casing and internal guidance elements. According to local officials, these fragments were collected near what was described as one of the strike sites, confirming the weapon type used in the attack. Venezuelan state sources indicated that one of the principal targets of the strike was the Venezuelan Institute of Neurology and Brain Research (IVNIC).
The AGM‑154C‑1 is a variant of the U.S. Navy’s Joint Stand‑Off Weapon family designed for long‑range precision strikes against hardened, fixed infrastructure. The system, typically launched from aircraft such as the F/A‑18 Hornet or F‑35 Lightning II, comprises a GPS‑aided navigation system for midcourse flight and an infrared seeker for terminal guidance. With a stand‑off range exceeding 100 kilometers when released from high altitude, the JSOW allows strike aircraft to remain outside heavily defended airspace. Its warhead is a penetrating blast‑fragmentation charge weighing roughly 225 kilograms, optimized to defeat structural defenses before detonation.
The recently released imagery of wreckage closely matches open‑source technical profiles of the C‑1 variant, identifiable by its distinctive guidance package and control surfaces, which differ from earlier models. Analysts note that while the JSOW program has seen deployment in various theaters — notably in the Middle East and parts of Asia — the C‑1’s confirmed employment inside Venezuela marks one of the few publicly documented combat uses of this specific variant.
The JSOW deployment occurred within the broader framework of a U.S. military operation initiated in the early hours of January 3, which included coordinated airstrikes and ground actions aimed at disabling air defenses and securing high‑value objectives. Multiple reports from international media and defense commentators indicate that U.S. forces struck targets across Caracas and other regions, triggering widespread explosions and significant structural damage to both military and infrastructure sites. Venezuelan authorities quickly denounced the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and an act of aggression.
These strikes were part of a larger mission — widely reported as Operation Absolute Resolve — which culminated in the capture and extraction of President Maduro and his wife to the United States, where they face federal charges. The operation, involving more than 150 aircraft and a mix of strike, electronic warfare, and support platforms, has drawn intense global attention and divided international responses.
Global reactions to the U.S. action have been sharply divided. Countries including China and Iran condemned the strikes as breaches of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty, calling for immediate international action to address the situation. Some Latin American governments expressed concern over regional stability, while others urged de‑escalation and respect for legal norms. International bodies, including the United Nations, have signaled alarm over the use of force and are monitoring developments.
The confirmed use of the AGM‑154C‑1 in Venezuela highlights a notable moment in precision standoff weapon deployment. Military analysts suggest that the operation underscores U.S. capacity to conduct long‑range precision strikes against high‑value fixed targets within contested airspace while minimizing risk to strike aircraft. The imagery confirming the C‑1’s use offers rare open‑source verification of the variant’s operational employment and may influence future assessments of U.S. tactical strike doctrine
