Overview
- Powerful explosions overnight struck key military sites around the Venezuelan capital, including Fuerte Tiuna and the La Carlota airbase, with additional blasts reported at La Guaira, Maracay, and Higuerote.
- Venezuela declared a state of exception, accused U.S. forces of firing on residential areas, and said casualty figures were still being gathered as Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez demanded proof of life for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores.
- President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured and exfiltrated Maduro and his wife, a claim not yet independently verified, with U.S. congressional and administration sources saying the operation had concluded.
- U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said Maduro and Flores were indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy, and U.S. officials indicated a transfer to the United States was planned.
- International responses split sharply, with Russia and Iran condemning the action, the European Union urging restraint, Spain offering to mediate, Colombia reinforcing its border and preparing for possible refugee flows, and Venezuela seeking an emergency UN Security Council meeting.