President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been captured following a large-scale military strike in Caracas. The operation took place early Saturday and involved multiple explosions and low-flying aircraft, reportedly targeting Maduro’s residence at the Fort Tiuna military installation. Trump stated that the couple is currently aboard the USS Iwo Jima en route to New York, where they face criminal charges, including allegations of running a “narco-state.”
The U.S. claims that this operation is part of a broader strategy to address drug trafficking and political corruption in Venezuela, which has been under increasing pressure from Washington in recent months. The U.S. has accused Maduro of rigging the upcoming 2024 elections and has sought to undermine his government through sanctions and military operations.
While Trump asserted that the U.S. will oversee the governance of Venezuela until a "proper transition" occurs, specifics regarding the administration of the country remain unclear. The U.S. has not yet established control over Venezuela, and Maduro's government continues to assert its authority. Venezuelan officials have labeled the U.S. actions as an "imperialist attack" and called for mobilization against what they describe as a kidnapping of their leader.