U.S. Launches Strikes on Venezuela, Claims Capture of President Nicolás Maduro

The United States launched what it described as a “large-scale” military strike on Venezuela early Saturday and claimed it had captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in an overnight operation, according to statements by U.S. officials and President Donald Trump.

In a post on Truth Social shortly after 4:30 a.m. ET, Trump said Maduro and the first lady had been “captured and flown out of the country” in an operation carried out with U.S. law enforcement. Trump said further details would be provided at a news conference later Saturday.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro has been indicted in New York on drug trafficking and weapons-related charges and would “face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

Explosions were reported in Caracas as low-flying aircraft were seen over the capital. Venezuela’s government accused the United States of striking both civilian and military installations, denouncing the operation as “extremely serious military aggression” and declaring a national emergency. Officials urged citizens to mobilize in response to what they called an “imperialist attack.”

It remained unclear who was in control of the Venezuelan government following the operation. Under Venezuela’s constitution, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would assume power in the absence of the president. Rodríguez said authorities did not know the whereabouts of Maduro or Flores and demanded proof of life.

“We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” Rodríguez said in a statement. “We demand proof of life.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a Republican senator, anticipated no further military action against Venezuela following the operation.

The developments mark a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations after months of heightened pressure by Washington.