In a stunning escalation of foreign military intervention, U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning that American special operations forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The “large-scale strike,” which began under the cover of darkness, targeted the capital city of Caracas and several military installations.
Reports indicate the capture was executed by Delta Force, the U.S. Army’s elite special mission unit. The operation followed a series of strategic airstrikes that knocked out power in parts of the capital and targeted the Fort Tiuna military complex.
President Trump confirmed the development via Truth Social, stating:
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”
In a subsequent phone interview with The New York Times, the President called the mission a “brilliant operation” conducted in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.
Witnesses in Caracas reported hearing the first explosions at approximately 1:50 a.m. local time. Residents described low-flying aircraft and missiles striking urban areas. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López confirmed the attacks, reporting that American combat helicopters fired rockets into the city.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez issued an urgent audio message via state-run VTV, demanding “proof of life” for the President and First Lady. She condemned the attack as a “grave military aggression” that resulted in civilian and military casualties.
The intervention has sent shockwaves through the global community:
A key ally of Venezuela, the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the strike as a “gross violation of international law” and a threat to global security.
Analysts note that Maduro, who maintains close ties with both Moscow and Beijing, was snatched despite years of diplomatic and security backing from these powers.
Diplomats are calling for an emergency session as the U.S. faces questions regarding the legal authorization for the strike.
The U.S. has sought Maduro’s arrest for years, following a 2020 indictment for alleged narco-terrorism. Recently, the Trump administration doubled the bounty for his capture to $50 million, accusing his “Cartel of the Suns” of trafficking cocaine into the United States.
