WASHINGTON, DC (LOOTPRESS) – President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that the United States carried out what he described as a large-scale military strike in Venezuela and claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been “captured” and flown out of the country.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Maduro and his wife were removed from Venezuela following overnight operations and that additional details would be released at 11 a.m. ET. He did not provide evidence of Maduro’s status at the time of the announcement.
Venezuela’s vice president publicly demanded proof that Maduro was alive, responding to Trump’s claim as reports of explosions were heard across Caracas and nearby areas in the early hours of Saturday.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro would “face the full wrath of American justice on American soil,” citing an indictment on charges that include narco-terrorism.
The United States has intensified pressure on Venezuela in recent months, bolstering its military presence in the Caribbean, intercepting crude oil tankers, and carrying out strikes against vessels U.S. officials have alleged were tied to drug trafficking operations.
Trump has repeatedly called on Maduro to step down and said in December that military action remained “on the table.”
The developments come after widespread unrest following Venezuela’s disputed July 2024 presidential election. Thousands of Venezuelans were arrested after protests that opposition leaders and international observers said were fueled by allegations of election fraud in favor of Maduro.
Further updates are expected as U.S. and Venezuelan officials release more information.
