Early Saturday morning, residents of Caracas were jolted awake as loud explosions echoed across the city, accompanied by low-flying aircraft and thick plumes of smoke rising over several neighbourhoods. Power outages were reported near major military installations, adding to the sense of alarm.

The United States later confirmed that it had carried out airstrikes, with US President Donald Trump claiming the operation resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the action as a “large-scale strike” and said Maduro had been flown out of Venezuela. No independent confirmation of the arrests has been provided so far.

Videos circulating on social media show repeated blasts lighting up the night sky, smoke clouds hovering over the capital, and American fighter jets flying overhead. Additional footage shows Venezuelan Army units deploying on the streets, indicating heightened security as explosions continued intermittently.

Following the strikes, Maduro — in a statement released by the government — rejected what he termed “military aggression” by Washington and declared a national emergency. Venezuela accused the US of violating the UN Charter and attempting to seize the country’s strategic resources, particularly oil and minerals.

The developments mark one of the most serious escalations between Washington and Caracas in decades. The US has accused Maduro’s government of running a “narco-state” and manipulating elections, while Venezuela has long alleged that American actions are aimed at controlling its vast oil reserves.

If confirmed, the airstrikes would represent the most direct US military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, sharply raising regional and global tensions.