What is happening to the Internet in Venezuela? Did the U.S. use cyber capabilities?

In the wake of the dramatic events in Venezuela, NetBlocks reported that internet connectivity was lost in parts of Caracas, correlating with power cuts during a U.S. military operation that captured and removed President Maduro from the country. The report notes that the loss of connectivity followed the blackout and that Tor usage in Venezuela rose sharply, suggesting that citizens seek anonymity and access to foreign media as ordinary channels come under strain.

A Politico report quoted in the piece suggests that President Trump hinted the United States used cyber capabilities to cut power in Caracas during the strikes, a claim described as a rare public instance of U.S. cyber power if confirmed. The article also mentions Gen. Dan Caine stating that Cyber Command, Space Command and other commands layered “effects” to enable the operation, though without detail.

In mid-December, PDVSA was hit by a cyberattack that disrupted export operations; the company described the incident as affecting some administrative systems but not operations, and framed it as related to alleged U.S. efforts to seize Venezuelan oil.