Donald Trump sent shockwaves across the world early Saturday morning after confirming the United States carried out a large-scale military strike against Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro along with his wife.
According to Trump, the operation happened overnight and targeted key Venezuelan military locations. He said Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country, calling the mission a success and stating it was carried out alongside U.S. law enforcement. Trump added that more details would be shared during a scheduled press conference later in the day at Mar-a-Lago.
Hours before Trump’s statement, residents in Caracas reported loud explosions, heavy military movement, and power outages across parts of the city. Video footage spreading online showed smoke rising near government and military facilities as low-flying aircraft moved overhead. Venezuela’s government quickly declared a national emergency as the situation escalated.
Despite Trump’s claim, Venezuelan officials pushed back publicly, saying they could not confirm Maduro’s capture and demanding proof of life for both him and his wife. As of now, no independent confirmation has been released verifying where Maduro is or who currently controls the country’s leadership.
The operation marks a major escalation after years of mounting tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, including sanctions, diplomatic breakdowns, and accusations involving drug trafficking and corruption.