Trump Confirms Capture of Venezuelan President Maduro After U.S. Military Strikes

TLDR

• President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of Venezuela during a U.S. military operation
• The U.S. conducted strikes on military facilities and installations in Caracas early Saturday morning, with at least seven explosions heard around 2 a.m. local time
• Maduro was indicted in a U.S. court in 2020 for alleged narcoterrorism and the Trump administration has accused him of drug trafficking
• The operation followed months of U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier
• Trump scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. ET at Mar-a-Lago to provide more details about the operation

President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been captured and removed from the country following a U.S. military operation. Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social after strikes were carried out in Venezuela’s capital city of Caracas.

The operation resulted in the capture of both Maduro and his wife, according to Trump’s statement. U.S. law enforcement authorities were involved in coordinating the operation, though Trump did not specify which agencies participated or provide details about how the capture was executed.

At least seven explosions were heard around 2 a.m. local time in Caracas on Saturday morning. Witnesses reported seeing low-flying aircraft and smoke rising from several locations, including La Carlota airport and Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex. The apparent attack lasted less than 30 minutes.

The explosions sent residents rushing into the streets. Parts of the city remained without power two hours after the strikes ended. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ban on U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace before the operation, citing “ongoing military activity.”

Background of U.S. Pressure Campaign

The operation comes after months of escalating military pressure on Venezuela. The U.S. has positioned the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and multiple warships in the Caribbean region. In recent weeks, American forces seized two oil tankers off Venezuela’s coast.

The Trump administration also launched deadly strikes on more than 30 boats allegedly carrying drugs. President Trump previously ordered strikes on what he described as “the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs.” These actions were part of a broader campaign against Maduro’s government.

Maduro was indicted in a U.S. court in 2020 on charges of alleged narcoterrorism. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of drug trafficking and working with gangs designated as terrorist organizations. Maduro has denied these accusations.

On Christmas Eve, Trump declined to state his specific goals regarding Venezuela. He warned that if Maduro “plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’ll ever be able to play tough.” This statement came just over a week before Saturday’s military action.

Details of Saturday’s Operation

The strikes targeted both civilian and military installations in Caracas, according to the Venezuelan government. U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News that President Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities. The operation was described as “large scale” in Trump’s announcement.

The exact number of casualties from the strikes was not immediately clear. Venezuela’s government accused the United States of attacking the installations but did not provide additional details. Venezuelan officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Maduro’s reported capture.

Vehicles moved freely through Caracas after the operation concluded. The city showed signs of returning to normal activity despite some areas remaining without electricity. Social media users posted reports of hearing and seeing the blasts throughout the capital.

Trump scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. ET at Mar-a-Lago to provide more information about the operation. The White House and Pentagon had not commented on the explosions before Trump’s announcement. No other details about Maduro’s location or the plans for his prosecution have been released.

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