Overview
- News outlets reported that U.S. operations in Venezuela led to the capture or detention of President Nicolás Maduro, with some reports also citing the detention of first lady Celia Flores.
- President Donald Trump said the United States will direct Venezuela for an indefinite period until a secure transition, rejecting any continuation of chavismo under a different leader and invoking past U.S. post-conflict administrations.
- Michelo, an Argentine content creator known for his ties to Maduro, posted videos from Caracas describing explosions, heavy smoke, aircraft noise, widespread power outages and severely reduced phone signal.
- He advised Venezuelans to uninstall WhatsApp and later released a song backing Maduro that directly names Trump and denounces U.S. intervention.
- His posts quickly drew intense, polarized engagement online, trending on X and drawing both threats and expressions of support.