US captures Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro after military strikes, Trump says

In a shocking announcement on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and was in the process of removing him from the country.

The claim, if verified, would mark a dramatic escalation in the long-standing U.S. campaign to oust the authoritarian leader.

Trump made the announcement on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating the U.S. had executed “a large scale strike against Venezuela” in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement.

He added that Maduro’s wife was also captured. The operation followed months of threats and accusations from the Trump administration, which has labeled Maduro the head of a “narco-terrorist” state.

Confusion and Contradiction Follow Announcement

The announcement was immediately met with confusion and conflicting reports. Venezuelan officials confirmed military strikes in the capital, Caracas, and several states, reporting casualties but providing no exact toll.

They declared a state of emergency and vehemently denounced what they called U.S. “imperialist attack.”

However, Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, stated that Maduro’s whereabouts were unknown and demanded proof from Trump that the president was alive.

Background of Escalating Tensions

This operation caps months of heightened U.S. pressure. Since late August, the Pentagon has built up forces in the Caribbean. The U.S. military has targeted vessels suspected of drug smuggling, and a CIA drone strike on a Venezuelan port facility was reported last month.

U.S. officials have long considered Maduro—who has led Venezuela since 2013—an illegitimate leader tied to drug trafficking, charges he denies.

The situation remains fluid, with the U.S. official confirming no American casualties but declining to comment on Venezuelan losses.

The international community awaits further verification and details from Trump’s promised briefing, as Venezuela calls for national mobilization against the alleged aggression.