Venezuela accuses US of 'military aggression' after explosions rock Caracas.
US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been captured and flown out of the country following a large-scale military strike. Trump stated on Truth Social that the operation was conducted in conjunction with US law enforcement and promised more details at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago.
The Venezuelan government has declared a national state of emergency, calling the US action “military aggression” and vowing to resist foreign troops. Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, was also reportedly captured.
Witnesses in Caracas reported hearing explosions and seeing smoke rising from military installations, including La Carlota air base and Fuerte Tiuna, the country’s largest military complex. The US has not recognized Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader since disputed elections.
Maduro Capture
The operation involved elite Delta Force operatives and followed months of escalating US military and economic pressure on Venezuela. Trump has accused Maduro of leading a “narco-terrorist” state and claimed the country is a major drug exporter to the US.
International reactions were swift, with Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro calling for an emergency UN Security Council meeting and Cuba condemning the operation as “state terrorism”. Iran also denounced the strikes, citing a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.
The Venezuelan army is reportedly blocking entrances to the presidential palace, and armored vehicles have been deployed. The US has a significant naval and aerial presence in the Caribbean, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.
Trump hailed the operation as “brilliant”, citing good planning and great troops. The US has previously seized Venezuelan tankers at sea and killed over 100 people in aerial strikes targeting alleged drug-trafficking boats.
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