President Donald Trump stunned the world Saturday morning by declaring that U.S. special forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a dramatic “large-scale strike” and flown them out of the country.
Speaking from the White House, Trump described the overnight operation as a decisive blow against what he called a “narco-terrorist regime,” citing long-standing U.S. indictments against Maduro for drug trafficking and corruption. Details of the raid remain limited, but sources indicate elite Delta Force operators were involved.
Explosions and gunfire rocked Caracas in the early hours, with massive plumes of smoke rising over key military installations including Fuerte Tiuna headquarters and La Carlota airbase. Residents reported helicopters thundering overhead and widespread power outages. “My heart was pounding, my legs were shaking—I thought the city was under invasion,” one eyewitness told reporters.
Venezuela’s government swiftly declared a national emergency, condemning the action as “imperialist military aggression” and demanding immediate proof that Maduro and his wife are alive. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López vowed fierce resistance, calling on loyalist forces to defend the nation.
The operation caps months of escalating U.S. pressure on Maduro, including naval deployments in the Caribbean, seizures of alleged drug-running vessels, and intensified sanctions. Analysts warn the power vacuum could spark chaos or civil conflict, with uncertainty over who might assume control in Caracas.
International reaction poured in rapidly, with allies of Venezuela—including Cuba, Russia, and Iran—denouncing the move, while several Latin American governments expressed cautious concern. Congress has yet to comment on whether the operation was authorized.
Trump is scheduled to hold a press conference later today at Mar-a-Lago to provide further details.