U.S. President Donald Trump said early Saturday that American forces had carried out a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela and that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and flown out of the country. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, describing the operation as successful and involving U.S. military and law enforcement coordination.
Explosions were reported across Caracas and nearby areas in the early hours of the morning, with residents describing loud blasts, low-flying aircraft and gunfire near key military installations, including Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota airbase. Power outages were reported in parts of the capital as confusion spread among residents.
Venezuela’s government condemned the strikes, describing them as an “extremely serious military aggression” against the country’s sovereignty. Officials declared a state of emergency and said multiple regions, including La Guaira, Miranda and Aragua states, were affected. Authorities did not immediately confirm Maduro’s whereabouts and demanded proof regarding claims of his capture.
U.S. media outlets reported that American forces were conducting military operations, but as of Saturday morning, there was no official confirmation from the White House or the Pentagon detailing the scope or objectives of the strikes. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning advising aircraft to avoid Venezuelan airspace due to ongoing military activity.
The reported strikes follow months of heightened tension between Washington and Caracas. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading a narcotics trafficking network and has intensified sanctions, naval deployments and enforcement actions targeting Venezuelan-linked shipping. Maduro has repeatedly denied the allegations, accusing the United States of attempting to overthrow his government due to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Regional leaders, including Colombia’s president, called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations, warning that the situation could destabilize the region. International observers are monitoring developments closely as questions remain over the legality, scale and consequences of the reported U.S. action in Venezuela.
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