UPDATE: The United States has executed a significant military strike against Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, early today. This extraordinary operation, confirmed by President Donald Trump via social media shortly after 4:30 a.m. ET, marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Venezuelan relations and comes after months of intensified pressure from Washington.
Explosions reverberated through the capital, Caracas, as low-flying aircraft targeted strategic installations, leading the Venezuelan government to denounce the action as an “imperialist attack.” Authorities are calling for citizens to mobilize in response.
The U.S. military operation aims to bring Maduro to justice following a 2020 indictment on narcoterrorism charges, where he was accused of turning Venezuela into a hub for drug trafficking and terrorism. The Justice Department previously charged him with conspiring to “flood the United States with cocaine” through collaborations with Colombian rebels.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau hailed the operation as a “new dawn for Venezuela,” asserting that “the tyrant is gone.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment on social media, emphasizing that Maduro’s regime lacks legitimacy.
Reports indicate that there is no immediate clarity on Maduro and Flores’ location following their capture. The U.S. State Department has issued an urgent travel alert for Americans in Venezuela, advising them to “shelter in place” amid the ongoing chaos. The embassy in Bogota, Colombia, which oversees U.S. interests in Venezuela, has warned that U.S. citizens should avoid traveling to the country.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has demanded “proof of life” for both Maduro and Flores, expressing concerns over their safety. She stated, “We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.”
International reactions have been swift. Colombian President Gustavo Petro convened a national security meeting to prepare for a potential influx of refugees and has called for a U.N. Security Council meeting to address what he termed “aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela.” Meanwhile, the Russian government condemned the U.S. action, labeling it an “act of armed aggression” and calling for diplomatic dialogue to prevent escalation.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the U.S. government for updates regarding the future of Venezuela and the next steps following the capture of its controversial leader. A press conference by President Trump is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET, where further details are expected to be revealed.
Stay tuned for more breaking updates on this developing story.
