Trump Says U.S. Captured Maduro in Large-Scale Strikes on Venezuela

Overview

• Trump announced a major operation overnight with strikes reported in Caracas and in the states of Miranda, La Guaira and Aragua, where witnesses described explosions, aircraft overflights and power outages.
• He asserted that U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores and removed them from the country, later posting a photo and saying they are en route to New York to face charges while pledging U.S. control until a “peaceful transition” and inviting U.S. oil companies to invest.
• The U.S. Justice Department announced narcotrafficking and terrorism cases against Maduro, with officials stating he will be prosecuted in U.S. courts.
• Venezuelan authorities declared an emergency, reported deaths and injuries, and demanded proof of life for Maduro and Flores, saying their whereabouts remain unknown.
• Regional reaction intensified as Brazil convened an emergency meeting to gather facts, Colombia and Cuba condemned the operation, Argentina’s Javier Milei voiced support, and calls grew for multilateral discussions on legality.