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

Overview

• Venezuela denounced the action as a grave foreign aggression, declared an external state of emergency, ordered nationwide mobilization and demanded proof of life for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores.
• U.S. justice authorities announced narcotics and terrorism charges tied to the operation, with officials indicating Maduro will face prosecution in U.S. courts.
• Witnesses and local media reported explosions, aircraft overflights, fires and outages in Caracas and in the states of Miranda, La Guaira and Aragua, with sites such as Fuerte Tiuna and the La Carlota air base referenced by Venezuelan officials.
• Brazil’s Foreign Ministry convened an emergency meeting to gather facts before taking a position, as leaders including Colombia’s Gustavo Petro and Cuba’s Miguel Díaz‑Canel condemned the strikes while Argentina’s Javier Milei praised them.
• The assault followed months of U.S. military buildup and sanctions, including the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group’s deployment, while key details such as casualty figures, precise targets and the legal justification remain unverified.