US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States carried out a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela early Saturday, claiming that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of the country an assertion that has not yet been independently verified.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the operation was conducted “in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement” and described it as a decisive action against the Venezuelan leadership. He said further details would be provided at a news conference scheduled for later Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. No evidence was presented to support the claim of Maduro’s capture.
Reports from Venezuela indicated explosions and the presence of military aircraft over the capital, Caracas, and other parts of the country in the early hours of Saturday. Residents described loud blasts and smoke rising from what appeared to be key installations. Venezuelan authorities said the strikes affected both civilian and military targets, though the full extent of the damage could not be independently confirmed.
The Venezuelan government swiftly condemned the action, describing it as “military aggression” by the United States. Officials declared a national emergency and called on citizens, political organisations, and the armed forces to mobilise in defence of the country’s sovereignty.
President Maduro, who US officials have repeatedly accused of corruption, drug trafficking, and destabilising the region, ordered the activation of national defence plans as the situation unfolded. State media broadcast messages urging calm while pledging resistance to what authorities termed an “imperialist attack.”
The reported strikes mark a dramatic escalation in already strained relations between Washington and Caracas. In recent months, the US has intensified pressure on Venezuela, including targeted strikes on vessels and facilities alleged by US officials to be linked to narco-trafficking operations off the country’s coast.
Despite Trump’s announcement, there has been no confirmation from Venezuelan officials, international news agencies, or independent observers that Maduro has been captured or removed from the country. US military and government spokespeople have largely declined to comment, referring inquiries to the White House.
Global reactions were still emerging, with analysts warning that the situation could have far-reaching implications for regional stability in Latin America, international law, and US relations with allies and rivals alike.
As events continue to develop, uncertainty remains high, with observers cautioning that the coming hours could prove critical in determining whether the crisis de-escalates or expands into a broader regional confrontation.
