Overview
President Trump announced that U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and removed them from the country after overnight strikes. This represents a major escalation after months of rising U.S. pressure on Maduro’s government.
Key Developments
President Trump stated on Truth Social that the United States carried out a “large-scale strike against Venezuela” with U.S. law enforcement, claiming Maduro and his wife were captured and removed.
Explosions were reported overnight in Caracas and other regions. Witnesses observed low-flying aircraft, smoke, and fires near military sites.
A U.S. official confirmed no American casualties but declined to comment on Venezuelan losses.
The Federal Aviation Administration has banned U.S. commercial flights from Venezuelan airspace, citing safety risks from ongoing military activity.
Confirmed and Unconfirmed Information
Confirmed: Explosions occurred at several sites in and around Caracas, including near major military bases. The Venezuelan government accused the United States of military attacks and declared a state of emergency. Trump claims U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife and removed them from Venezuela.
Unclear: Maduro’s current location, the legal basis for the operation, and whether the administration will release evidence or further details.
Current Situation
Venezuela’s defense minister denounced the strikes as a U.S. invasion and called them the most serious act of aggression against the country.
No senior Venezuelan officials besides the defense minister have appeared publicly since the explosions, raising questions about command and control in Caracas.
The White House and Pentagon declined immediate comment and referred inquiries to the president.
Argentina’s libertarian president, Javier Milei, celebrated the capture, posting “Liberty advances.”
Colombia moved in the opposite direction: President Gustavo Petro ordered forces to the Venezuelan border and prepared for a potential refugee surge.
Background
The operation follows one of the largest U.S. military buildups in the Caribbean in decades, including an aircraft carrier strike group, amphibious ships with Marines, special operations aircraft, and expanded maritime enforcement.
Since late 2025, the U.S. has increased interdictions of Venezuelan-linked vessels, seized oil tankers accused of violating sanctions, and carried out dozens of lethal strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats.
Trump has repeatedly called Maduro the leader of a “narco-terrorist” state and signaled a willingness to use force to remove him.
Why it matters
If Maduro is in U.S. custody, Venezuela’s political system faces uncertainty, including questions about constitutional succession, military loyalty, and opposition claims to legitimacy.
The operation is likely to prompt significant legal and political scrutiny in Washington regarding congressional authorization and the use of force, destabilizing northern South America and inflaming tensions with Venezuela’s allies, including Cuba and Russia.
What to watch
Potential for internal unrest or violence as rival power centers maneuver.
Next steps to be announced by Trump at his expected news conference later today.