In a dramatic escalation, President Donald Trump declared the U.S. has captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after launching a large-scale military operation against Caracas — the most significant U.S. intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the United States had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following a “large-scale” military strike against Venezuela. The operation, which Trump described as conducted “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement,” reportedly involved no American casualties and resulted in Maduro and his wife being flown out of the country.
This marks the first time in modern history that a sitting South American president has been forcibly removed from power by a foreign military force under direct presidential command. The raid follows months of escalating pressure from the Trump Administration, which had publicly accused Maduro of running a “narco state” through drug trafficking and election rigging — accusations never substantiated by independent evidence.
The attack unfolded at approximately 2 a.m. local time in Caracas, with witnesses reporting massive explosions and low-flying U.S. military aircraft. Videos shared on social media showed the capital engulfed in smoke and chaos as residents fled their homes. According to Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández, Maduro and his wife were at their home within the Ft. Tiuna military installation when they were captured.
Venezuela’s government condemned the assault as an “invasion” and “blatant outrage.” Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez issued a formal statement rejecting U.S. aggression, while Vice President Delcy Rodriguez called for immediate proof of Maduro’s life and whereabouts. The Venezuelan communications ministry declared a state of emergency in response to the strikes.
The U.S. operation echoes the 1989 invasion of Panama, during which U.S. forces captured Manuel Antonio Noriega — the last major U.S. military campaign in Latin America before this one. This precedent underscores the gravity of the current event and raises urgent questions about international law, sovereignty, and the limits of executive power.
Maduro was indicted on corruption and drug trafficking charges in New York in 2020. The State Department had offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been indicted in New York and would “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Maduro had been “captured and flown out of the Country.” He also claimed the operation was carried out without American troops being killed, despite the scale of the attack. “He was in a highly guarded — it was like a fortress actually,” Trump said, adding that the U.S. would be deeply involved in shaping Venezuela’s future.
Vice President JD Vance echoed Trump’s stance, stating that Maduro had been given multiple opportunities to step down but remained defiant over drug trafficking and stolen oil. “The drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States,” Vance emphasized.
Republican Senator Mike Lee corroborated Trump’s claims, citing Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assertion that Maduro had been arrested to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States. “He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States,” Lee wrote, adding that Rubio anticipated “no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in U.S. custody.”
The Pentagon had deployed 10 F-35s to Puerto Rico and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford joined eight warships and 10,000 troops already stationed in the region. Trump authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, prompting Maduro to call the move a “desperate” attempt at regime change.
Analysts have questioned the legality of previous U.S. strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in Venezuelan waters — actions carried out without congressional approval. At least 115 people have been killed since September in those strikes, drawing criticism from legal experts and human rights organizations. The current operation appears designed to preemptively justify broader interventionist policies under the guise of national security.
Trump’s administration has long portrayed Maduro as an illegitimate leader whose rule enables narcotics trafficking and destabilizes the region. In a December interview, Trump stated Maduro’s “days are numbered.” His repeated calls for regime change have now culminated in direct military action — a historic moment that redefines U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.
As the world watches Venezuela’s political landscape unravel, onlytrustedinfo.com remains your definitive source for authoritative, real-time analysis of global events. Stay tuned for updates on Maduro’s fate, the legal implications of his transfer to U.S. custody, and the potential consequences for regional stability.
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