In a dramatic escalation of international tensions, President Donald Trump claimed early Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured by U.S. forces. The announcement, delivered via a post on the social media platform Truth Social, followed widespread reports of military strikes and explosions in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and surrounding areas.

The alleged operation marks a stunning turn in the prolonged political and humanitarian crisis plaguing the South American nation. Mr. Trump described the action as a “large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader,” asserting that the captured pair had been “flown out of the Country.”

Venezuelan Officials Reject Claim, Demand Proof of Life

The claim of a successful capture was immediately and vehemently rejected by officials within the Venezuelan government. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez appeared on state-run television to address the nation, where she issued an extraordinary demand for “proof of life” for President Maduro and his wife, stating their whereabouts were currently unknown.

In a separate televised address, Venezuelan Defense Minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino Lopez denounced the attacks as an “invasion” and the “worst aggression” ever perpetrated against the country. The Defense Minister confirmed that the armed forces had been placed on a state of “External Commotion” and were deployed nationwide to resist foreign troops.

A Night of Explosions and Uncertainty

The President’s announcement came on the heels of a chaotic night in Venezuela. Beginning in the early hours of Saturday morning, witnesses and reporters cited explosions and the sounds of low-flying aircraft across Caracas. Key locations, including parts of the Fuerte Tiuna military complex, Venezuela’s largest, were reportedly engulfed in flames, and multiple civilian areas were allegedly struck.

Explosions were heard in Caracas and nearby states, starting around 2 a.m. local time.
Reports indicated power outages in the southern sector of the capital.
Social media footage showed columns of smoke rising over military installations.

Background: Indictment and $50 Million Bounty

The dramatic events follow years of intense pressure from the U.S. administration against the Maduro regime, which Washington and dozens of other nations do not recognize as legitimate. The action aligns with previous U.S. threats to increase military and economic pressure on the nation.

The U.S. government has long sought the arrest of Mr. Maduro, who was indicted in March 2020 by federal prosecutors on charges of “narco-terrorism” for allegedly collaborating with the FARC guerilla group to traffic cocaine into the United States. The Trump administration had subsequently offered a substantial $50 million reward for information leading to his capture or conviction.

Statements from Washington

Following the President’s post, a number of other U.S. officials offered statements that appeared to confirm the capture. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau hailed the news on social media, declaring that the “tyrant is gone” and that a “new dawn” was ahead for Venezuela.

Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah also weighed in, stating he had been informed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the kinetic military action was complete, with Maduro in U.S. custody to face criminal charges.

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