In an unprecedented military escalation, the United States has confirmed executing large-scale strikes against Venezuelan targets, resulting in the alleged capture and extraction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from the country. The operation, announced by former President Donald Trump via Truth Social on Saturday, represents the most direct U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 Panama invasion.
According to Venezuelan authorities, the capital Caracas and surrounding regions experienced severe explosions accompanied by aircraft activity around 2:00 AM local time (0600 GMT). The government condemned the actions as ‘extremely serious military aggression’ and immediately declared a national state of emergency while mobilizing defense forces.
The strikes reportedly extended beyond Caracas to multiple regions including Miranda, Aragua, and the coastal state of La Guaira—home to Venezuela’s primary airport and port facilities. The Trump administration has consistently accused Maduro’s government of operating a ‘narco-state’ and facilitating drug trafficking to the United States, allegations Venezuela denies while maintaining that Washington seeks control over its vast oil reserves.
International reaction emerged swiftly, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro calling for an emergency United Nations session to address the military action. The development follows months of heightened tensions between the two nations, with the U.S. previously targeting vessels allegedly transporting narcotics from South American waters.