President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been taken into custody following coordinated U.S. airstrikes on Venezuelan targets.
In a statement released, President Trump said the United States conducted a “large-scale military strike” against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. According to Trump, the operation was carried out in close coordination with U.S. law enforcement agencies.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader,” Trump said, adding that the detained couple had been flown out of Venezuela. He noted that additional details would be provided at a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m. at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
The action represents a major escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations, which have long been strained by political tensions, sanctions, and disputes over democratic governance. Observers say the capture of Maduro could dramatically reshape Venezuela’s internal politics and intensify debate over the legality and implications of U.S. intervention in the region.
