Overview
- Trump said a large-scale operation was carried out overnight and claimed Nicolás Maduro and his wife were taken out of the country, with a briefing promised from Mar-a-Lago.
- No independent confirmation of the reported capture was available, and Venezuela’s vice president demanded proof of life for Maduro and Cilia Flores.
- Witnesses reported at least seven explosions, low-flying aircraft and power outages in Caracas and nearby states including Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, with no confirmed casualty count.
- The Venezuelan government condemned what it called an imperialist attack, activated emergency and defense measures, and alleged strikes on military and civilian areas.
- International reactions split quickly — Colombia, Russia and Iran condemned and pressed for action at the UN as Argentina’s Javier Milei cheered — and the FAA barred U.S. commercial flights from Venezuelan airspace.