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U.S. Launches Night Strikes in Venezuela as Trump Claims Capture of Maduro

Maduro's custody remains unverified, with Venezuela in a state of emergency.

Overview

  • Explosions were reported around 2 a.m. in Caracas and nearby states, with low-flying aircraft, power outages, and smoke seen near military sites including Fort Tiuna and La Carlota.
  • President Trump said Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out, while Venezuela's vice president said their whereabouts are unknown and demanded proof of life.
  • The FAA barred U.S. commercial flights from Venezuelan airspace and over nearby Curaçao, and the U.S. Embassy advised Americans in the country to shelter in place.
  • A U.S. official told Reuters that strikes occurred inside Venezuela, but the White House and Pentagon provided no detailed briefing; Trump scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference at Mar-a-Lago.
  • Colombia called for an emergency UN meeting, Russia, Iran and Cuba condemned the action, and questions over U.S. legal authority mounted after months of maritime strikes and a regional naval buildup.