Overview
- Trump says U.S. forces executed a brief overnight assault by air, land and sea in Caracas, reporting no U.S. troop deaths.
- Venezuelan authorities report strikes on civilian and military sites, declare a state of emergency, and allege violations of international and U.S. law without congressional authorization.
- The administration asserts that Nicolás Maduro and his wife were seized and removed to face U.S. justice, and that Washington will manage a transition, while Venezuelan officials say his status and location remain unclear.
- Trump justifies the move as necessary for U.S. security and cites alleged offensive weapons and foreign actors, as analysts and media compare the action to Iraq, Panama and past high-profile raids.
- Immediate effects include power outages and damage reported in Caracas and a reported suspension of U.S. deportation flights to Venezuela, with Israel praising the operation as European figures and editorials warn of wider risks.