The Venezuelan government has strongly denied claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were arrested during a U.S. military operation, describing the announcement as “psychological warfare” and a dangerous escalation of misinformation.
In a statement aired on state television VTV, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government has received no official confirmation from U.S. authorities regarding the alleged arrest, insisting that Washington’s claims remain unverified and unsupported by evidence.
“The United States has provided no proof that President Maduro or the First Lady have been detained or transferred anywhere,” Rodríguez said. “This is a grave provocation intended to sow confusion and destabilize Venezuela.”
President Trump earlier claimed on social media that U.S. forces had carried out a “large-scale operation” inside Venezuela, resulting in the arrest of Maduro and his wife. However, no independent international body, foreign government, or neutral observer has confirmed the claim, and details about the alleged operation remain unclear.
While residents in parts of Caracas reported hearing loud explosions and aircraft activity overnight, Venezuelan authorities said the incidents were limited military alerts and routine defensive maneuvers, rejecting reports of a successful U.S. incursion.
Legal experts and regional leaders have raised concerns that any unilateral U.S. military action on Venezuelan soil would constitute a serious violation of international law and national sovereignty.
Several Latin American governments have called for restraint, warning that unverified claims and military threats could push the region toward wider instability.
Venezuela’s armed forces were placed on heightened alert early Saturday, with officials stating the move was precautionary amid what they described as “foreign intimidation.”
“We are facing an information war designed to justify aggression,” a senior Venezuelan military official said.
As of late Saturday, the whereabouts of President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores had not been publicly confirmed, fueling speculation and international concern. Venezuelan officials demanded that the U.S. government clarify its claims and provide proof if any detention has occurred.
Observers say the situation remains fluid, with contradictory narratives emerging from Washington and Caracas, and warn that the coming hours could prove critical for regional stability.
Venezuela Rejects U.S. Claim of Maduro’s Arrest, Calls It Disinformation
