The United States has claimed it has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a large-scale military operation targeting the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the development via his Truth Social platform, stating that American forces had “successfully” carried out an operation that led to the arrest of the Venezuelan leader and his wife.
He said both were taken into custody and flown out of Venezuela, though he did not disclose their destination or provide further operational details.
Reports indicate that the operation was preceded by coordinated pre-dawn airstrikes and explosions across Caracas and surrounding states, including Miranda, La Guaira and Aragua.
Witnesses reported loud explosions and low-flying aircraft, while several strategic military and civilian locations were said to have been hit during the strikes.
Venezuelan authorities have condemned the action, describing it as an act of military aggression and a violation of international law.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that President Maduro and his wife were no longer in public view and demanded proof of life, accusing the United States of endangering civilians.
The development marks a dramatic escalation in long-running tensions between Washington and Caracas, with analysts warning that the situation could further destabilise the Latin American region.
As of the time of filing this report, the U.S. government has not released official details beyond President Trump’s announcement, while Venezuela has declared a heightened state of alert.
