Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that American forces had conducted a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country.” He added that he would hold a news conference at 11:00 a.m. EST at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
If confirmed, this would mark the most direct US military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama to remove General Manuel Noriega. There has been no immediate confirmation from the Venezuelan government regarding the strike or Maduro’s capture.
The US has repeatedly accused Maduro of running a “narco-state” and manipulating elections. Maduro, who assumed power in 2013 following Hugo Chávez, has long claimed that Washington seeks control over Venezuela’s oil reserves, the largest in the world.
Read More: US Warns UN It Will Cut Off Resources to Venezuela’s Maduro
Reports from Caracas early Saturday indicated multiple explosions, rising smoke, and aircraft activity over the city. Witnesses also reported a power outage in the southern sector near a major military base. Images circulating on social media appeared to show columns of black smoke.
Trump has previously hinted at possible land operations in Venezuela, privately pressuring Maduro to leave office. On Monday, he stated that it would be “smart” for Maduro to step down.
The US has amassed significant military assets in the region, including an aircraft carrier, warships, and advanced fighter jets stationed in the Caribbean. Trump has also imposed a blockade on sanctioned vessels entering or leaving Venezuelan waters, expanded sanctions, and carried out multiple strikes on ships alleged to be transporting drugs.
Read More: US Sanctions Venezuela: Targeting Maduro Family and Oil Ships
Last week, Trump said US forces had targeted a site in Venezuela used to load drug shipments, marking what may be the first known US land operations in the country since the sanctions and military buildup began. It remains unclear whether the strikes involved the CIA, though some media reports suggest the agency’s participation.
The Trump administration has accused Venezuela of flooding the US with illicit drugs, but Maduro’s government denies involvement. Several countries have condemned the US strikes as extrajudicial actions.
