Overview
- Explosions struck military and strategic sites around Caracas shortly after 2 a.m. local time as the U.S. carried out an operation it code-named Absolute Resolve, which senior commanders said involved more than 150 aircraft and months of preparation.
- Donald Trump said Maduro and his wife were seized and exfiltrated to face U.S. federal charges including narcoterrorism and cocaine-import conspiracy, with French media reporting their arrival in New York after an initial transfer to the USS Iwo Jima.
- Trump announced Washington will "direct" Venezuela until a "safe" political transition, authorized U.S. oil companies to operate there under sanctions, and warned of a possible larger second strike and deployment of ground troops if required.
- Venezuela’s vice president demanded proof of life, Caracas denounced an illegal act of aggression, Russia and Iran condemned the strikes, Spain offered to mediate, the EU urged restraint, and Colombia reinforced its border for potential refugee flows.
- In France, political leaders split sharply over the raid as protests were held in Paris, and President Emmanuel Macron said Venezuelans could welcome the end of Maduro’s rule while calling for a peaceful transition.