U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that American forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro following what he called a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela. The dramatic claim was posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform just hours after loud explosions and flames rocked Caracas, the Venezuelan capital.
Trump declared, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been captured along with his wife and flown out of the country.”
So far, Venezuela’s government has not confirmed Maduro’s fate, but has accused Washington of committing an “extremely serious military aggression.” Maduro, who has ruled since 2013, has faced escalating pressure from the Trump administration in recent months.
Explosions Rock Caracas Overnight
Residents of Caracas reported massive explosions, helicopter noise, and power outages around 2:00 a.m. local time. Witnesses said the blasts lasted nearly an hour, with flames and smoke rising over Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, and the La Carlota airbase in northern Caracas.
“I felt the explosions lift me out of bed,” said local resident María Eugenia Escobar. “I immediately thought, ‘God, the day has come,’ and I cried.” Videos circulating on social media showed helicopters crisscrossing the night sky as frightened families packed emergency bags.
Speaking briefly with The New York Times, Trump called the mission a “brilliant operation” involving “[a lot of good planning and great troops].” He is scheduled to hold a press conference at 11:00 a.m. (1600 GMT) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he is currently vacationing.
Trump’s administration previously deployed warships to the Caribbean Sea under the guise of anti-drug operations, warning Maduro of possible strikes. Just days before the attack, he had urged the Venezuelan president to step down, calling his 2024 re-election “fraudulent.”
The Venezuelan Defence Ministry said U.S. forces targeted multiple sites, including residential areas, and announced a massive military mobilisation in response. Power outages were reported in parts of Caracas, with critical infrastructure severely damaged.
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President Gustavo Petro of neighbouring Colombia condemned the assault and called for an emergency United Nations meeting, saying troops were being deployed along the Venezuela-Colombia border to maintain security.
Tensions Rise Across Latin America
The military strike is expected to send shockwaves throughout Latin America, heightening tensions between Washington and leftist governments in the region. Analysts warn that the attack could destabilise Venezuela further, triggering new migration waves toward nearby countries.
The United States has accused Maduro of operating a global drug trafficking network. Maduro has denied those claims, alleging that Washington seeks to topple him to control Venezuela’s vast oil reserves — the largest in the world.
As the world awaits official confirmation of Maduro’s capture, Trump’s announcement has already reshaped global headlines and raised new questions about the legality and consequences of such a strike.
