Washington (Web Desk/Agencies): US President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that American military forces had detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro after launching a “large-scale strike” on Venezuela.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that the United States had successfully carried out a significant military operation against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of both President Maduro and his wife, who were then flown out of the country.
“The United States of America has successfully executed a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who, along with his wife, has been apprehended and transported out of the country,” Trump wrote.
The President further explained that the operation was carried out with assistance from US law enforcement agencies. He also announced that a press conference would be held at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida at 11:00 AM (1600 GMT).
“This mission was conducted in coordination with US law enforcement,” Trump added.
In a brief interview with The New York Times, Trump expressed his satisfaction with the operation, praising the execution as “brilliant” and attributing its success to careful planning and the efforts of “great troops and great people.” A US official confirmed that Maduro was captured by American special forces.
If verified, this action would mark the most significant US military involvement in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, which led to the ousting of military dictator Manuel Noriega. However, there has been no immediate confirmation or response from the Venezuelan government regarding Trump’s announcement.
Trump’s dramatic statement came after months of escalating US pressure—both military and economic—on Maduro’s socialist government and Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy. The United States has long accused Maduro of leading a “narco-state” and has hinted at the possibility of direct military intervention in Venezuela.
In December, Trump had warned Maduro that “it would be wise” for him to step down, adding that the Venezuelan leader’s “days are numbered.” The announcement also came just two days after Maduro tried to initiate communication with Washington, offering cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal migration.
Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chávez in 2013, has consistently argued that the real US objective is to seize control of Venezuela’s massive oil reserves, the largest in the world.
Trump has provided several justifications for his hardline approach, including claims that Venezuela is a significant source of drugs entering the United States and that the Maduro government has taken control of American oil assets.
Though Trump has not explicitly called for Maduro’s removal from office, the US government, along with several European nations, does not recognize him as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.
In recent weeks, the United States has ramped up its naval and air presence in the Caribbean, deploying assets such as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and additional warships. As part of a broader blockade on Venezuelan oil, the US has seized two tankers at sea and carried out airstrikes, reportedly killing over 100 people and targeting small boats suspected of drug trafficking.
Earlier in the week, Trump mentioned that American forces had destroyed a docking facility used by Venezuelan drug boats, describing it as the first known attack on Venezuelan territory during the ongoing operation.
