Trump Says Maduro Captured After ‘Large-Scale’ US Strike On Venezuela

US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that American forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flown them out of the country.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said:

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”

Trump added that the operation was conducted with US law enforcement and said more details would be provided at a news conference scheduled for 11am at Mar-a-Lago.

The US has not carried out such a direct intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama that led to the removal of military leader Manuel Noriega.

Caracas Demands Proof of Life as Maduro Whereabouts Unknown

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government does not know where Maduro or the First Lady are and has demanded “immediate proof of life” for both.

The Venezuelan government has not confirmed Trump’s claims.

The US has long accused Maduro of leading an international drug trafficking organisation — allegations he has repeatedly denied. Washington also does not recognise him as Venezuela’s legitimate president following the 2024 elections, which were widely criticised as neither free nor fair.

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The US had previously offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.

Uncertainty Looms Over Venezuela’s Future

If Maduro has been forcibly removed, the development would be welcomed by some figures in the US administration who have openly supported regime change in Venezuela.

Supporters of US intervention argue it could open the door for the opposition to take power, potentially led by Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado or 2024 opposition candidate Edmundo González.

Others, however, warn that the situation may not be straightforward. Venezuela’s military and paramilitary forces have remained loyal to Maduro, and critics have previously cautioned that direct US intervention could further destabilise the country.

Venezuela has accused the US of seeking control over its oil reserves, believed to be the largest in the world.

Trump did not explain how Maduro was captured or where he has been taken. Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over who, if anyone, is now in control in Caracas.

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