US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States has carried out a “large scale” strike against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, stating that the operation was conducted in conjunction with US law enforcement.
According to Trump, Maduro and his wife have been “captured and flown out of the country”.
The Venezuelan government has confirmed that Maduro and his wife are missing, with Vice President Delcy Rodriguez demanding “proof of life”.
The strikes, which began around 2 a.m. local time, targeted multiple locations across northern Venezuela, including the capital city of Caracas.
Reports indicate that at least seven explosions were heard, and low-flying aircraft were seen in various parts of the city.
The US has accused Maduro of running a “narco-state” and rigging the 2024 presidential election.
Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, has denied these allegations, claiming that the US is attempting to take control of Venezuela’s oil reserves.
The operation is reportedly part of Operation Southern Spear, a US military campaign targeting alleged criminal networks in Venezuela.
The US has deployed significant military assets to the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.
Venezuelan opposition sources suggest that Maduro’s capture may be a “negotiated exit” with the US.
However, the Venezuelan government has denounced the military aggression, declaring a state of emergency and vowing to resist.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced that Maduro and his wife will face charges related to narcoterrorism in the US.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Maduro will stand trial on criminal charges in the US.
Trump is scheduled to hold a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to provide further details on the operation.
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