Overview
- President Donald Trump said U.S. special forces arrested Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a large operation, monitored the capture live, reported only minor U.S. injuries, and plan to transfer him to New York to face narcoterrorism charges.
- Venezuela’s vice president Delcy Rodríguez said the government does not know Maduro’s whereabouts, demanded proof he and his wife are alive, and condemned what Caracas called a dangerous military aggression.
- Residents reported powerful overnight explosions and power outages around Caracas, and Venezuela’s defense minister accused U.S. forces of striking residential areas, saying the military has been widely deployed.
- A U.S. justice official said Maduro and his wife will be tried in U.S. courts on drug‑ and terrorism‑related conspiracy charges, while a senator quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio as saying no additional strikes are planned and the operation is complete.
- International reactions diverged, with Colombia condemning the strikes and ordering troop deployments, Iran and Russia denouncing the action, and EU members and Spain urging restraint and respect for international law; separately, ministers from the UAE and seven partners called for immediate, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.