Trump Claims U.S. Military Operation Captured Venezuela’s President Maduro
By Oladejo Eriyimika
Former United States President Donald Trump has claimed that American forces carried out coordinated overnight military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, an action that—if confirmed—would represent the most direct U.S. military intervention in Latin America in more than three decades.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump said U.S. forces executed what he described as a “large-scale, highly successful strike” against Venezuelan targets. He alleged that President Maduro and his wife were apprehended during the operation and subsequently flown out of the country.
Trump stated that the operation was conducted with the support of U.S. law enforcement agencies and said further details would be released during a press conference scheduled later on Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters, said Maduro was detained by elite American special operations forces. However, as of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation from the Venezuelan government regarding Maduro’s alleged arrest or removal from national territory.
Should the claims be verified, the development would mark Washington’s most overt military action in the region since the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama that led to the removal of former leader Manuel Noriega, who—like Maduro—was accused by U.S. authorities of involvement in drug trafficking.
The United States has long accused Maduro’s administration of presiding over what it describes as a “narco-state” and of manipulating Venezuela’s most recent presidential election—an election Washington says the opposition won by a significant margin. Maduro, who assumed power in 2013 following the death of Hugo Chávez, has consistently rejected the allegations, accusing the United States of attempting to destabilise his government to gain control of Venezuela’s vast oil and mineral resources.
Following Trump’s announcement, Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino López, issued a strong condemnation of the reported U.S. action. In a televised address, he described the alleged operation as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and called on citizens and the armed forces to remain united in defence of the nation.
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“Venezuela rejects, with the full force of its libertarian history, the presence of foreign troops on its soil,” Padrino said, urging calm while warning against external aggression.
Meanwhile, residents in Caracas and surrounding areas reported hearing explosions in the early hours of Saturday. Reuters witnesses said loud blasts, increased aircraft activity and thick plumes of black smoke were visible across parts of the capital for approximately 90 minutes beginning around 2 a.m.
Venezuelan authorities later declared a national emergency, confirming that attacks were also reported in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. Several neighbourhoods in southern Caracas, particularly those near major military installations, experienced electricity outages.
Videos circulating on social media showed flashes of light illuminating the night sky as explosions echoed across the city. Pro-government media reported explosions near the Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota military bases, both of which are key strategic facilities.
The Venezuelan opposition, led by prominent figure María Corina Machado, said it was monitoring developments but declined to issue an immediate statement on the situation.
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Regional reaction has been cautious. While several Latin American governments have openly questioned the legitimacy of Maduro’s rule, direct U.S. military involvement in the region evokes painful historical memories and remains widely unpopular among many governments and populations.
Venezuela’s international allies, including Cuba and Iran, swiftly condemned the reported strikes. Iran described the action as a “flagrant violation of international law and national sovereignty” and called on the United Nations Security Council to urgently address the situation.
Trump has repeatedly warned of possible military action against Venezuela and earlier this week suggested it would be “wise” for Maduro to step aside. During his administration, the United States imposed sweeping economic sanctions on Venezuela, restricted its oil exports and conducted multiple operations targeting vessels it accused of involvement in drug trafficking.
The Venezuelan government has consistently denied any involvement in narcotics smuggling, arguing that the accusations are used by Washington as a pretext to justify economic pressure and potential foreign intervention.
Legal analysts have also raised questions about the legal authority under which the reported U.S. military action was conducted. Past U.S. operations in the region, particularly those linked to anti-narcotics enforcement, have faced criticism over their legality and humanitarian impact.
As events continue to unfold, the international community is closely watching for official confirmation and further clarification from both Washington and Caracas.