U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will stand trial in the United States following what he described as a “brilliant operation” that led to Maduro’s capture after U.S. air strikes on Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.
In a dramatic announcement made on his Truth Social platform, Trump said U.S. forces carried out a large-scale military strike against Venezuela, after which President Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country.
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Trump praised the planning and execution of the mission, commending what he described as “great, great troops and great people.” He also announced that a press conference would be held at 11am local time (4pm UK time) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he is expected to outline the next steps, including legal proceedings against the Venezuelan leader.
Air Strikes on Caracas
According to Trump, the operation began with U.S. air strikes on Caracas earlier in the day. Reports indicated that Black Hawk helicopters and Chinook aircraft were involved in the assault, marking a significant escalation in U.S. military action against Venezuela.
Footage circulating on social media showed thick smoke rising above the Caracas skyline, while loud explosions were reported in several parts of the city. The Venezuelan government later confirmed that strikes had also hit the neighbouring states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.
In response, authorities in Caracas declared a nationwide state of emergency, describing the strikes as a direct foreign military attack. The government said national defence plans had been activated and security forces fully mobilised, while urging citizens to remain calm amid the unfolding crisis.
The raid follows months of escalating threats from Trump, who has repeatedly warned that the United States would take action if Venezuela failed to stop drug-smuggling boats allegedly heading toward U.S. territory. Trump has accused the Maduro government of facilitating organised drug trafficking and has vowed to protect U.S. borders and national security.
In recent weeks, the U.S. president intensified his rhetoric, signalling that military options were firmly on the table. The strikes now represent the most dramatic escalation in U.S.–Venezuela relations in years.
Uncertainty and Global Reaction
As of the time of publication, Venezuelan authorities had not officially confirmed Trump’s claim that President Maduro and his wife had been captured. Independent verification of the operation remains limited, and international observers are closely monitoring developments.
The White House and the Pentagon have yet to issue formal statements clarifying the scope of the military action or confirming the reported arrest.
Analysts warn that if Trump’s claims are confirmed, the operation would represent an unprecedented intervention in Venezuela and could trigger far-reaching political, legal, and security consequences across Latin America and the Caribbean.
With global attention now focused on Mar-a-Lago ahead of Trump’s press conference, the international community is bracing for further details that could reshape the geopolitical landscape and deepen an already volatile crisis.
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