President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that U.S. forces carried out a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, then flew them out of the country, according to his post on Truth Social. Trump said the operation involved U.S. law enforcement alongside military action, and he planned a news conference at Mar-a-Lago later in the day.
Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, after a series of explosions in Caracas on Jan. 3, 2026. (Luis JAIMES/AFP via Getty Images)
Explosions were reported in Caracas and surrounding regions before dawn, with residents hearing blasts and seeing low-flying aircraft. Venezuelan authorities described the attacks as serious military aggression affecting Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. The Venezuelan government condemned the strikes as an imperialist assault aimed at seizing strategic resources and undermining national sovereignty.
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro looks on during a meeting at the National Assembly in Caracas, Aug. 22, 2025. (Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images)
International reactions were mixed, with the Venezuelan regime calling the action a violation of international law and mobilising defence forces, while U.S. officials framed the operation as a decisive move against Maduro’s leadership and alleged crimes. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded “proof of life” for Maduro and his wife amid ongoing uncertainty on the ground.
Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, is seen from a distance after a series of explosions in Caracas on Jan. 3, 2026. (AFP via Getty Images)
The situation follows months of escalating U.S. military pressure and strikes targeting drug trafficking networks and alleged regime operations in and around Venezuelan territory. The Federal Aviation Administration has banned U.S. aircraft from Venezuelan airspace, and the U.S. embassy warned citizens to shelter in place or depart.
No independent confirmation from the Venezuelan side has verified Maduro’s capture or his current location. The legal and diplomatic implications of the U.S. action remain unfolding as global reaction continues to develop.
