U.S. Captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Overnight Military Operation

 U.S. Captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Overnight Military Operation

Caracas/Washington — 

United States President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that U.S. forces carried out a large-scale overnight military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following airstrikes on military and strategic targets in and around the capital, Caracas.

Speaking during a press briefing at Mar-a-Lago and in posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump described the operation as a decisive action against what he called a “narco-terrorist regime”, accusing the Maduro government of drug trafficking, corruption, and destabilization of the region.

“The United States has successfully removed a criminal regime that was poisoning the hemisphere,” Trump said. “Venezuela will be temporarily overseen until a safe, proper, and judicious transition can take place.”

Details of the Operation

According to U.S. officials, the operation followed months of military and diplomatic pressure, including a naval buildup in the Caribbean and previous strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels linked to Venezuelan networks.

The overnight assault reportedly involved precision airstrikes on military installations, including air defense systems and command centers in Caracas and surrounding areas. Shortly afterward, Maduro and Flores were allegedly extracted by U.S. forces and flown out of the country. Trump said they are expected to face narcoterrorism and corruption charges in the United States, potentially in New York.

The White House did not immediately release independent visual confirmation of Maduro’s detention, stating that more details would follow “at the appropriate time.”

Venezuela Reacts

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez condemned the operation, calling it an “imperialist aggression” and a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and international law. She claimed civilian and military casualties resulted from the strikes and demanded proof of life for Maduro.

The Venezuelan government announced the mobilization of military and civilian defense units, while loud explosions and temporary power outages were reported in parts of Caracas overnight.

Oil and U.S. Involvement

Trump also emphasized Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, stating that U.S. companies could help restore and manage oil infrastructure damaged by years of sanctions and mismanagement.

“Venezuela has incredible resources that were destroyed by corruption,” Trump said. “We will help bring them back online responsibly.”

He did not rule out further military involvement, including the possibility of ground troops, if required to stabilize the country.

International Reaction

The operation triggered swift international condemnation from several countries, including Russia, China, Iran, Cuba, and Brazil, all of which described the action as illegal and warned of serious consequences for global stability.

Some U.S. allies expressed concern, while a number of Republican lawmakers praised the move as long overdue. Others in Congress questioned the legality of the operation, citing the absence of explicit congressional authorization or United Nations approval.

Legal and Political Questions

Legal scholars and lawmakers are now debating whether the action constitutes an act of war or an unlawful regime-change operation under international law. The U.S. administration maintains that the operation was justified under counter-narcotics and national security authorities.

A Developing Situation

As of Saturday afternoon, key details—including casualty figures, the status of Venezuela’s military leadership, and the framework for a political transition—remain unclear.

The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with global markets, energy prices, and diplomatic relations closely watching developments in Caracas.