US Hackers Reportedly Caused a Blackout in Venezuela
Andy Greenberg, Maddy Varner, Lily Hay Newman
created: Jan. 17, 2026, 11:30 a.m. | updated: Jan. 21, 2026, 6:54 p.m.
US forces also used hacking capabilities to disable Venezuelan air defense radar ahead of the incursion, the Times reported, citing officials.
According to the Times, the power was restored “quickly”—perhaps purposefully by Cyber Command—and didn’t cause fatalities in hospitals, due to the use of backup generators.
It remains unclear, of course, whether the US was technically at war with Venezuela in any sense at the time of the operation.
Candidates without law enforcement experience were supposed to do eight weeks of in-person training, including lessons on immigration law.
A DHS spokesperson said it impacted around 200 hires, who eventually reported to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for full training.
2 weeks, 3 days ago: WIRED