President Donald J. Trump announced Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured during an overnight U.S. military operation in Caracas. Trump said the joint military and law enforcement mission, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, resulted in the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cillia Flores de Maduro. The president said the operation targeted a fortified compound in Venezuela’s capital and was carried out without U.S. fatalities. The announcement followed hours of speculation after reports of U.S. military activity and explosions in the Venezuelan capital circulated overnight.
“Last night and early today, at my direction, the United States armed forces conducted an extraordinary military operation in the capital of Venezuela,” said President Trump during a press conference about the capture of Maduro.
U.S. military officials said the mission followed months of intelligence gathering and planning. According to Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, more than 150 aircraft were deployed as part of the coordinated air, land, and maritime operation. Explosions and power outages were reported across Caracas early Saturday as U.S. forces moved into the city. Residents described hearing loud blasts and seeing aircraft flying at loud blasts and seeing aircraft flying at low altitude over the capital.
Trump later posted an image on social media showing what the White House identified as a handcuffed and blindfolded Maduro aboard the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima. The president said Maduro and his wife will face U.S. criminal court proceedings tied to a 2020 Department of Justice indictment that includes charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. Maduro has denied charges in the past, while U.S. officials have maintained that the case reflects years of alleged criminal activity.
“I’ve never heard of a president capturing another leader before, but I saw it on the news and was really interested,” said CHS Junior Nahal Kasmai.
The operation immediately drew international reaction. Some regional leaders condemned the U.S. action, while several U.S. lawmakers criticized the administration for proceeding without prior congressional notification. The White House said further details will be released as the situation develops.
