United States President Donald Trump has made the shocking claim that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been “captured” and flown out of the country following a series of large-scale military strikes. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the operation was conducted in conjunction with US law enforcement, marking a massive escalation in the long-standing tensions between Washington and Caracas. The announcement follows reports of heavy bombardment across the South American nation, specifically targeting civilian and military installations in multiple states.
Earlier on Saturday, the Venezuelan government officially denounced the actions as “military aggression” by the United States, declaring a national emergency in response to the attacks. Reports from the ground in Caracas indicated that at least seven major explosions were heard around 2:00 AM local time, accompanied by the terrifying sound of low-flying aircraft. Significant parts of the capital were reportedly plunged into darkness as power grids failed following the strikes, leaving the population in a state of panic and uncertainty.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has provided a detailed list of targeted locations, though these claims have not yet been independently verified. According to Petro, the bombardment hit critical sites including the La Carlota air base, the Federal Legislative Palace, and Fuerte Tiuna, which serves as Venezuela’s primary military complex. Additional strikes were reported at various airports and a helicopter base, suggesting a coordinated effort to dismantle the country’s military infrastructure and communications.
While the Trump administration has long accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking—accusations Maduro has consistently denied—the sudden shift to direct military action has caught much of the international community off guard. Just days prior, Maduro had signaled an openness to negotiating a deal regarding drug trafficking. However, the US had already been ramping up pressure, conducting over 20 air strikes in nearby waters and implementing strict sanctions over the preceding months.
Regional reactions have been swift and sharply divided. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the operation as “state terrorism” and a “criminal attack,” calling for an urgent international response to protect the region’s peace. Conversely, right-wing governments in Argentina and Ecuador remain staunchly opposed to the Maduro administration. Colombia, despite its own tensions with Maduro, has expressed deep concern over the unilateral military action and called for an immediate de-escalation to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe along their shared border.
As the situation develops, the US embassy in Bogota has urged all American citizens to leave Venezuela immediately, citing the highest level of travel warnings. The global community now waits for official confirmation and further details regarding the status of Nicolas Maduro. Whether this marks the end of his regime or the beginning of a much larger regional conflict remains to be seen, as the “tense calm” currently prevailing over Venezuela threatens to break at any moment.