U.S. Military Launches Strikes in Venezuela, Captures President Nicolás Maduro
WASHINGTON — In a dramatic escalation of U.S.-Venezuelan relations, the U.S. military conducted a series of air strikes across Venezuela early Saturday morning, including in the capital city of Caracas, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation on Truth Social, describing it as a “large-scale strike” carried out with U.S. law enforcement that successfully detained Maduro and his spouse, who were subsequently flown out of the country.
Explosions rocked Caracas and surrounding areas such as Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states, with at least seven blasts reported in the capital alone. Witnesses observed low-flying aircraft over Caracas at approximately 2 a.m. local time, identified as part of the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the “Night Stalkers.” The operation targeted multiple strategic locations, including Venezuela’s largest military complex, Fuerte Tiuna, which suffered a significant fire following the attacks.
The Venezuelan government swiftly condemned the strikes as an act of “very serious military aggression” and “imperialist aggression,” accusing the United States of attempting to seize control of the nation’s oil and mineral resources. In an official statement, Caracas vowed to resist what it characterized as a colonial war aimed at dismantling Venezuela’s sovereignty and imposing regime change. The government reaffirmed its commitment to defend the country’s independence, invoking over two centuries of history.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau hailed the operation as a “new dawn for Venezuela,” declaring on the social media platform X that “the tyrant is gone” and would now face justice for his crimes. The move comes amid ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt drug-smuggling operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, which have been a focal point of American foreign policy in the region.
President Trump announced a news conference scheduled at Mar-a-Lago to provide further details on the operation. According to reports, there were no American casualties during the strike. The capture of Maduro marks a significant development in the protracted political crisis in Venezuela, where the United States has long condemned Maduro’s government for corruption, human rights abuses, and alleged involvement in narcotics trafficking.
This military action follows Maduro’s indictment in New York on charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, underscoring the U.S. government’s determination to hold him accountable. National security experts have speculated that Maduro’s removal could signal a shift in the geopolitical landscape of Latin America, potentially weakening Cuba’s influence and altering the balance of power in the region.
For more on the U.S. military’s role in counter-narcotics operations, see the Department of Defense. The State Department’s statements on Venezuela’s political situation are available at U.S. Department of State. Information on the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment can be found through the U.S. Army. For broader context on U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, visit the Central Intelligence Agency website.
The international community is closely monitoring the fallout from the strikes, as Venezuela braces for potential political and economic repercussions. Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice President has demanded proof of life for Maduro following the U.S. announcement, highlighting the uncertainty and tension surrounding the operation’s aftermath.
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