Cyber operations are increasingly viewed as a preparatory measure to influence the battlespace before conventional air or ground forces engage. Critical infrastructure such as power grids, communication networks, and information systems has become a strategic target. Disrupting these can impede decision-making, degrade defensive capabilities, and create openings for traditional military units. Recent reports from events concerning US cyber-attacks on Caracas in Venezuela and speculation about possible similar operations being undertaken against the Iranian government in Tehran have heightened global interest in offensive cyber activities as a geopolitical tool.[1]
President Trump has reportedly claimed that US cyber-attacks on caused widespread power outages across Caracas. According to Trump, these operations were designed to enable aircraft and helicopters to strike key military locations and facilitate the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This represents one of the most publicly discussed instances of US cyber power allegedly deployed against another nation in recent times. Such operations are typically highly classified, and the United States is widely regarded as one of the most capable nations globally in cyberspace operations.
During a press conference, President Trump was quoted as saying, "It was dark, the lights of Caracas were largely turned off due to a certain expertise that we have, it was dark, and it was deadly." General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reportedly stated at the same conference that US Cyber Command, US Space Command, and other combatant commands "began layering different effects" to "create a pathway" for US forces entering the country. General Caine did not offer further details on the nature of these "effects".
The internet tracking group NetBlocks reported a disruption in internet connectivity in Caracas during power cuts on the morning of Saturday, 3 January 2026. Metrics showed a loss of internet access in parts of Caracas, coinciding with power outages during the US military operation that allegedly involved strikes on the capital and the removal of President Maduro from the country. This alleged offense is cited as the latest cyber-attack targeting Venezuelan infrastructure in recent weeks. The CIA was reported to have carried out a clandestine cyber-attack against Maduro in the final year of Mr. Trump’s first administration, reportedly disabling the computer network used by his intelligence service.
Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), Venezuela's national oil and gas company, subsequently claimed that the US had conducted a cyber-attack causing delays across the country. PDVSA stated that its facilities were not damaged by the recent cyber-attack.
The operation reportedly began with technical measures intended to cause extensive power outages in the capital. These disruptions were described to reduce visibility and coordination on the ground, thereby assisting subsequent aerial and special operations.
Analysis suggests that cyber tools offer a more precise and controllable means of achieving such effects than physical strikes on infrastructure. Power stations and transmission lines are often dispersed and fortified, making them challenging to disable reliably with kinetic attacks. By contrast, cyber intrusion can remotely interrupt operations, with timing adjusted to specific phases of a military mission. In this instance, the blackout was assessed as a method to support low-altitude helicopter activity and limit the effectiveness of defensive systems.
Beyond power disruptions, the analysis outlines a wider range of cyber techniques that could be employed in similar scenarios. These include penetrating government and military networks to access internal documents, compromising personal devices of senior officials for intelligence gathering, and exploiting connected security or "smart" systems in sensitive buildings to acquire situational awareness. Control of critical infrastructure could also be maintained over time, allowing for a rapid transition from espionage to active disruption if tensions escalate.
From a defense perspective, cyber capabilities are increasingly interwoven with conventional military strategy. Modern operations combine digital intrusion with air, land, and special forces activities, utilizing cyberspace to weaken defenses before physical contact. This tactic reduces warning times and complicates attribution, placing increased pressure on national defense systems.
The analysis also highlights a broader pattern: cyber tools initially developed for long-term intelligence gathering can be rapidly adapted during conflict. Access quietly gained during peacetime can translate into immediate operational advantage once hostilities begin.
The implications for national security are clear. As cyber threats grow in scale and complexity, countries need to treat cybersecurity as a fundamental component of national defense. Protecting critical infrastructure and information systems is no longer solely an economic or public safety concern; it has become central to national resilience in modern conflict.
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[1] https://www.cybersecurityintelligence.com/blog/cyber-operations-pave-the-way-for-military-action-9030.html
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