By Joy Yesufu
Photo: BBC
The United States has carried out a large-scale military operation against Venezuela early Saturday, with U.S. President Donald Trump announcing that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country, a claim that has not been independently verified and was rejected by Caracas authorities.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said U.S. forces conducted a “large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader,” adding that Maduro and his wife had been taken into custody in coordination with U.S. law enforcement and transported out of Venezuelan territory.
The reported overnight operation, which involved airstrikes and explosions heard in Caracas and other regions, marked a dramatic escalation of U.S. military pressure on Venezuela following months of stepped-up actions targeting alleged drug trafficking operations linked to the Maduro government.
However, Venezuelan officials have contested U.S. claims. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded immediate proof of life for Maduro and his wife, while Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López condemned the strikes as “an act of imperialist aggression” and vowed resistance.
Venezuela’s government said it had declared a state of emergency and called on citizens to defend national sovereignty.
Explosions and reports of low-flying aircraft were recorded early Saturday in and around Caracas, where military facilities and key infrastructure were reportedly hit.
The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily banned U.S. commercial flights over Venezuelan airspace due to “ongoing military activity.” �
International reactions were swift: Cuba and Iran condemned the U.S. action as a violation of international law, while Colombia’s president called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Congressional figures in the U.S. also voiced concern over the legality of the strikes in the absence of explicit authorization.
The operation underscores a significant intensification of U.S.–Venezuela tensions, which have been marked by accusations from Washington that Maduro’s government is involved in narcotics trafficking , charges Maduro has consistently denied.
U.S. federal indictments and a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest were issued prior to Saturday’s action.
As the situation continues to unfold, Maduro’s current status and location remain unconfirmed by independent sources, and Venezuelan authorities are disputing U.S. assertions.
International diplomatic and humanitarian ramifications are expected to grow as more information becomes available.
