United States President Donald Trump has announced that American forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a large-scale U.S. military operation in Venezuela.
Trump revealed the operation on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating it was carried out jointly by U.S. military and law enforcement agencies. He shared a photograph showing Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima, blindfolded and wearing sound-suppressing earmuffs, ahead of his planned transfer to New York.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi confirmed that Maduro and Flores would face prosecution on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and illegal weapons offenses. Bondi said the couple would soon “face the full wrath of American justice on American soil.”
Trump described the mission as “brilliant,” praising U.S. forces for their planning and execution. He indicated that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela temporarily until a “proper transition of leadership” could be arranged, though details of the arrangement remain unclear.
The announcement comes after months of heightened U.S. pressure on the oil-rich nation, including naval deployments, aerial strikes, and enforcement of an oil blockade.
The operation follows a failed attempt by Maduro to negotiate cooperation on drug trafficking and migration.
The move has sparked questions over international law, sovereignty, and the potential for regional instability, with global reactions still emerging.
Trump Captures Maduro in Surprise U.S. Strike; Faces Terrorism Charges
