President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that US special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro after striking military sites in Caracas.
Trump said Maduro and his wife were flown out of the country.
US forces launched operations targeting the defence headquarters in Caracas. They stormed installations, seized control, and detained Maduro. Trump declared the mission successful and confirmed that Maduro will likely face trial for drug trafficking.
Reports from Caracas described explosions, aircraft overhead, and smoke near military bases. Witnesses said US forces moved quickly and secured key sites before detaining the Venezuelan leader.
Trump posted on social media that the United States removed Maduro from Venezuela. He emphasised that the operation demonstrated American resolve against corruption and narco-terrorism.
Maduro had long accused Washington of seeking regime change to exploit Venezuela’s oil and mineral wealth. His government condemned the attack as aggression and claimed the US aimed to destabilise the country.
Analysts noted that the capture marked a dramatic escalation in US-Venezuela relations. Observers warned of potential backlash across Latin America and renewed debate over sovereignty and intervention.
The Venezuelan opposition welcomed the announcement, while Maduro’s supporters denounced it as foreign interference. International organisations awaited official confirmation and prepared emergency sessions to discuss the crisis.
