US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores had been captured and flown out of Venezuela following what he described as “large-scale airstrikes” on Caracas.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed US forces successfully struck targets in the Venezuelan capital overnight and detained the country’s leadership in a coordinated operation involving US law enforcement agencies. He said further details would be revealed at a news conference scheduled later in the day at Mar-a-Lago.
The claims came hours after residents of Caracas reported multiple explosions, low-flying aircraft, fires and widespread power outages, particularly near major military installations. Videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising over parts of the city as people rushed into the streets amid confusion and fear.
According to US media reports citing unnamed officials, members of Delta Force were involved in the operation. However, there was no independent confirmation of Maduro’s capture, and Venezuelan authorities did not acknowledge Trump’s assertion.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced the deployment of military forces nationwide, calling the US action the “worst aggression” the country had faced. While urging calm and resistance, he made no reference to reports that Maduro had been detained.
The alleged strike follows months of escalating pressure by Washington on the Maduro government, which the US has accused of narco-terrorism, election fraud and facilitating drug trafficking. Trump has repeatedly warned of military action to remove Maduro, saying the US was prepared to act if he did not step aside.
Venezuela’s government accused the US of attacking both civilian and military facilities and declared a state of external disturbance, urging supporters to mobilise in response. With no official confirmation from Caracas, the situation remains fluid, raising fears of further escalation and regional instability.
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