Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States has carried out military strikes on Venezuela, claiming that the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, has been captured and removed from the country in a dramatic escalation of tensions between Washington and Caracas.
In a post on his Truth Social platform in the early hours of Saturday, Mr Trump said the US had conducted what he described as a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela and its leadership. He claimed that Mr Maduro and his wife had been taken into custody and flown out of the country, though no independent confirmation of their whereabouts has been provided.
The announcement followed reports of multiple explosions in and around Caracas shortly after midnight. Residents described hearing at least seven loud blasts, while low-flying aircraft were seen over the capital and neighbouring states, including Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. Venezuela’s government said the attacks targeted both civilian and military installations, accusing the US of what it called an act of aggression against a sovereign nation.
Senior officials in Caracas said communications were disrupted in several areas following the strikes, with power outages reported near key infrastructure sites. State television urged calm but called on citizens to remain vigilant, as security forces were placed on high alert. The government later announced emergency measures, including restrictions around strategic locations.
Mr Trump’s claim of Mr Maduro’s capture has heightened uncertainty, with senior Venezuelan figures demanding proof that the president and first lady are alive and safe. A statement from the vice-presidency said the government had not been officially informed of their status and accused Washington of spreading disinformation designed to destabilise the country.
If confirmed, the removal of Mr Maduro would represent the most direct US intervention in Venezuela in decades. Relations between the two countries have been hostile for years, marked by sanctions, diplomatic isolation and repeated accusations by Washington that Mr Maduro’s government is involved in corruption, human rights abuses and drug trafficking. Mr Maduro has consistently denied those claims, portraying himself as a target of US imperialism.
In Washington, the strikes have already sparked intense debate. Supporters of the operation argue that decisive action was long overdue and could open the door to political change in a country facing economic collapse and widespread hardship. Critics, however, have questioned the legal basis for the strikes and warned that unilateral military action risks inflaming regional instability.
Across Latin America, reactions have been mixed. Some governments have condemned the attacks as a violation of international law and called for urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. Others have remained cautious, urging restraint while seeking clarity on what has actually taken place and what it means for the region.
In Caracas, daily life was disrupted as rumours spread rapidly. Schools and businesses in parts of the capital remained closed on Saturday morning, while long queues formed at petrol stations and shops. Many residents expressed fear that the situation could deteriorate further, particularly if loyalist forces resist or if rival factions seek to fill a power vacuum.
The US administration has so far released no detailed military briefing to support Mr Trump’s claims. The president said he would address the nation later on Saturday, promising to outline the objectives of the operation and the next steps for US policy toward Venezuela.
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