Trump confirms U.S. strikes in Venezuela and capture of President Nicolás Maduro

President Donald Trump announced that the United States carried out strikes in Venezuela’s capital on Saturday morning and that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and removed from the country. In a message posted on the social media platform Truth Social, President Trump did not disclose where Maduro was taken. "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. "This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law

President Donald Trump announced that the United States carried out strikes in Venezuela’s capital on Saturday morning and that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and removed from the country. In a message posted on the social media platform Truth Social, President Trump did not disclose where Maduro was taken. "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. "This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP." On Sunday morning, the Venezuelan government confirmed that the United States had carried out attacks on the capital, Caracas, as well as in three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua. The strikes reportedly targeted military facilities, including Fuerte Tiuna, a major military complex where Maduro has often been reported to stay. Maduro’s reported capture comes after years of tense relations between Venezuela and the United States. President Trump has repeatedly described Maduro as a dictator and has stated that the United States does not recognize his government. In recent months, the United States has conducted military operations against drug trafficking vessels it said were linked to Maduro. Maduro, for his part, has frequently accused the United States of launching attacks aimed at seizing Venezuela’s natural resources and installing a government aligned with Washington. The reported capture took place just days after Maduro publicly stated that he was ready to engage in talks with the United States.