In a stunning military operation, the United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning. The dramatic mission marks an unprecedented escalation in U.S.-Venezuelan relations and reshapes the political landscape of South America.
Trump confirmed that Maduro and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, were extracted from Venezuela in a joint military and law enforcement operation. The extraction followed a series of coordinated strikes across the capital in the pre-dawn hours, with explosions reported at major military installations. Venezuela’s government immediately declared a national emergency and demanded proof that Maduro remains alive.
Trump has provided limited details regarding the arrest or Maduro’s current location. However, U.S. officials confirmed to CBS that the operation was executed by Delta Force, the Army’s elite counter-terrorism unit specializing in high-risk military operations.
The President is scheduled to provide comprehensive details during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago at 11:00 EST (16:00 GMT) Saturday morning. Senator Mike Lee revealed that Maduro will face criminal charges in the United States, citing information from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Beginning around 02:00 local time, explosions rocked Caracas as U.S. forces struck key military targets. Smoke billowed over La Carlota airfield and Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex. Power outages cascaded through surrounding neighborhoods as infrastructure sustained damage.
The strikes extended beyond the capital, with Venezuelan officials reporting that operations also targeted military installations in Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states. While casualty figures remain unclear, Venezuelan authorities contend that civilian areas were struck during the operation.
Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez swiftly demanded “immediate proof of life” for both Maduro and the First Lady, signaling Caracas’s skepticism about U.S. claims. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López condemned what he characterized as indiscriminate strikes on civilian neighborhoods and vowed the military would resist further incursions.
In an official statement, Venezuela’s government denounced the “extremely serious military aggression,” accusing the United States of orchestrating the operation to seize control of Venezuela’s vast oil and mineral reserves. The characterization reflected the deep mistrust that has defined U.S.-Venezuelan relations for decades.
The White House initially remained silent before confirming the operation through a Trump post on Truth Social. Trump described the mission as a “brilliant operation,” promising fuller disclosure at his scheduled press conference. The President has long vilified Maduro, accusing him of commanding international drug trafficking networks and designating Venezuelan criminal organizations as terrorist entities.
Maduro assumed the presidency following Hugo Chávez’s death in 2013, becoming leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). His re-election in 2024 triggered immediate international controversy when opposition tallies suggested rival Edmundo González secured a landslide victory. The U.S. government rejected Maduro’s victory claim and offered a $50 million reward for his capture, charging him with drug trafficking and governing without legitimate authority.
Maduro has consistently denied these allegations, instead contending that the United States seeks to overthrow his government to commandeer Venezuela’s petroleum reserves.
The operation has provoked sharp international condemnation. Russia condemned the strikes as “armed aggression,” while Iran’s Supreme Leader called for resistance against U.S. “arrogance.”
Regional allies of Venezuela expressed alarm. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro characterized the operation as an “assault on sovereignty,” and Cuba’s Miguel Díaz-Canel branded it a “criminal attack.” European nations urged caution: Spain called for de-escalation, while Germany and Italy said they were closely monitoring the rapidly developing situation.
Maduro’s capture represents a fundamental turning point in U.S.-Venezuelan relations and carries implications across Latin America. With the president now in American custody pending trial, critical questions loom over Venezuela’s immediate political future, the stability of the region, and the potential for broader conflict as international powers weigh their responses to this extraordinary development.
