Former U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that American forces conducted military strikes in Venezuela and successfully captured the nation’s sitting president, Nicolás Maduro. The controversial statement, which lacks official confirmation from current U.S. authorities, represents a significant escalation in rhetoric regarding Washington’s approach to the Venezuelan government.
Venezuela has been embroiled in a prolonged political crisis since Maduro’s disputed re-election in 2018, which many nations including the United States deemed illegitimate. The Trump administration maintained a policy of maximum pressure against Maduro’s regime, recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim president and imposing severe economic sanctions.
This alleged claim of military intervention, if verified, would mark a dramatic turning point in hemispheric relations and international law. However, multiple international news agencies and government channels have not corroborated Trump’s assertion, leaving the validity of the statement in question. Regional security analysts suggest such an operation would require substantial military resources and would likely provoke strong responses from Venezuela’s international allies, including Russia and China.