In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the United States and Venezuela, U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been captured and flown out of Venezuela following a large-scale U.S. military operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to President Trump\u2019s post on his Truth Social platform, the United States \u201csuccessfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader\u201d and that both Maduro and his wife were taken into custody in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement \u2014 though he did not immediately provide details about where they were taken or which forces were involved. Trump said a news conference with further information would be held later on Saturday.
Explosions Reported in Caracas as Operation Unfolded<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The announcement came after multiple explosions and reports of military activity rocked Caracas, Venezuela\u2019s capital, and other regions early in the morning. Witnesses described loud blasts, low-flying aircraft, and thick plumes of smoke in the skies above the city.
ABC News<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Continue reading next page\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Venezuela\u2019s Government Rejects U.S. Claims<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Venezuelan government has strongly denied parts of the U.S. narrative. Vice President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez stated that the government did not know the whereabouts of Maduro or his wife and called for \u201cproof of life,\u201d while also condemning what it described as \u201cmilitary aggression\u201d by the United States.
ABC<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officials in Caracas declared a state of emergency, urging Venezuelans to mobilize and rejecting the U.S. actions as an infringement on national sovereignty.
Al Jazeera<\/p>\n\n\n\n
International reactions have been swift. Nations including Russia and Iran condemned the U.S. strikes, labeling them violations of international law, while regional leaders called for emergency diplomatic responses.
CBS News<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This marks one of the most significant direct U.S. military actions in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Maduro had been the subject of U.S. criminal charges, including allegations of narco-terrorism, and the Trump administration had previously placed a high bounty on his capture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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