The United States carried out overnight military strikes in Venezuela and has taken President Nicolás Maduro into custody, according to a statement released early Saturday by US President Donald Trump.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said US forces had successfully removed Nicolás Maduro from power and transported him out of the country, marking what would be the most direct American military intervention in Latin America in decades.
If confirmed, the operation would represent Washington’s most significant regional intervention since the 1989 invasion of Panama that led to the arrest of Manuel Noriega.
US Describes Coordinated Strike and Arrest
Trump said the operation was conducted in coordination with US law enforcement and military units, adding that more details would be provided during a scheduled press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Maduro was detained by elite special forces during the operation. No official documentation or video evidence of the capture was immediately released.
Washington has long accused Maduro of presiding over a “narco-state” and of manipulating Venezuela’s most recent presidential election to remain in power.
Caracas Hit by Explosions, Emergency Declared
Explosions were reported overnight in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and in surrounding states, prompting the government to declare a national emergency and mobilize troops.
Residents reported hearing aircraft overhead and seeing flashes of light and plumes of smoke across the city for more than an hour. Parts of southern Caracas experienced power outages near major military installations, according to witnesses.
State-aligned media reported blasts near the Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota military bases.
Venezuelan Officials Reject US Claims
Venezuela’s defense minister, Vladimir Padrino, issued a defiant video message rejecting what he described as foreign military aggression.
He urged citizens and the armed forces to unite, saying Venezuela would defend its sovereignty against outside intervention. The government did not immediately confirm whether Maduro had been captured or removed from the country.
Opposition and Regional Reaction
The Venezuelan opposition, led by María Corina Machado, said it was monitoring developments but declined to issue an immediate comment.
Several Latin American governments, while critical of Maduro’s rule, have historically opposed direct US military intervention in the region, citing concerns rooted in past interventions.
International Condemnation and Rising Tensions
Venezuela’s allies, including Cuba and Iran, condemned the reported strikes. Tehran called the action a violation of national sovereignty and urged the United Nations Security Council to address what it termed unlawful aggression.
The US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean in recent months, deploying warships, fighter jets, and an aircraft carrier as part of a broader pressure campaign against Maduro’s government.
Uncertainty Over Legal Authority
Legal experts questioned the legal basis for the strikes, noting that US actions against alleged drug trafficking targets in the region have already drawn international criticism and resulted in civilian casualties.
As of Saturday morning, independent verification of Maduro’s capture remained unavailable, and uncertainty continued to grip Venezuela amid fears of further escalation.
