US Strikes Venezuela Captures President
United States President Donald Trump has announced that American forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following overnight military strikes that shook the country’s capital, Caracas.
Trump made the claim early Saturday in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying the US carried out a large-scale military operation targeting Venezuela’s leadership. According to him, Maduro and his wife were arrested and flown out of the country after the operation.
The announcement came hours after explosions and heavy helicopter activity were reported across Caracas in the early hours of the morning. Journalists on the ground said blasts began around 2:00 am and continued for nearly an hour, sparking panic among residents.
There has been no official confirmation from Venezuela’s government on Maduro’s location. However, authorities in Caracas condemned the action, describing it as a serious act of military aggression by the United States against the country.
Venezuelan officials said key military sites were hit during the strikes, including Fuerte Tiuna, the country’s largest military base, and La Carlota airbase. Fires and thick smoke were seen rising from some locations, while explosions were also reported in La Guaira, a coastal area near the capital that hosts the main airport and seaport.
The government announced a state of emergency and accused US forces of targeting areas close to residential neighborhoods. The defence ministry said troops had been deployed nationwide in response to the attacks.
Speaking in a brief interview with The New York Times, Trump described the operation as successful, praising US troops for what he called careful planning and execution. He said he would address the situation later at a news conference from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Residents of Caracas described a night of fear and uncertainty, with many waking up to loud blasts and aircraft noise. Some said they gathered essential items such as passports, cash, and food supplies, while others sheltered indoors as power outages were reported in parts of the city.
The developments have triggered international concern. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations and said his country had begun reinforcing its border with Venezuela.
The US action follows months of rising tension between Washington and Caracas, marked by sanctions, military pressure, and accusations by the Trump administration that Maduro is involved in drug trafficking aclaims the Venezuelan leader has repeatedly denied.
