US President Donald Trump announced a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela and claimed President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out, saying the operation involved US law enforcement. US media reported strikes inside Venezuela early on Saturday. Maduro’s government denounced the action as an “extremely serious military aggression,” and countries including Colombia, Cuba, Iran, Russia and Spain issued strong condemnations or calls for de‑escalation. Key claims — notably the capture — remain unverified and the situation is developing.
Trump Says US Carried Out Strikes In Venezuela And Claimed Maduro Was Captured — Global Outcry
Pedestrians run after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, early on Saturday [Matias Delacroix/AP]
US President Donald Trump announced on social media that the United States had conducted a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela and claimed that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country.” Trump said the operation was carried out “in conjunction with US law enforcement.”
What Happened
Early on Saturday, US media outlets including Fox News and CBS News reported that strikes had taken place inside Venezuelan territory, marking a significant and alarming escalation in tensions that many Venezuelans had feared for weeks. The reports and the president’s posts have raised urgent questions about the scale of the operation and independent confirmation of key claims.
Venezuelan Government Response
President Maduro’s government condemned the operation as an “extremely serious military aggression.” A government statement said: “Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and people.”
International Reactions
Governments around the world reacted swiftly and strongly. Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on X that the world had been alerted to an attack on Venezuela and urged that peace, respect for international law, and protection of human dignity prevail over armed confrontation.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel described the strikes as a “criminal attack” and labeled the action “state terrorism,” saying it assaulted Cuba’s “zone of peace” and threatened “Our America.” Cuban embassies circulated a statement denouncing the attack and demanding an urgent international response.
Iran’s foreign ministry “strongly condemned the American military attack on Venezuela,” framing it as a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow was deeply concerned, condemned what it called an “act of armed aggression,” and urged measures to prevent further escalation while promoting dialogue. Spain’s Foreign Ministry called for de‑escalation, respect for international law and offered to help mediate a peaceful solution.
Why This Matters
The reported strikes and the president’s assertion that Maduro was captured represent a major international incident with potential consequences for regional stability, international law and diplomatic relations. Key details — including independent verification of the capture claim and the full scope of the strikes — are not yet confirmed publicly, and the situation remains fluid.
Note: This article summarizes initial reports and official statements. Some claims, including the capture of President Maduro, have been asserted by US sources and remain unverified by independent observers at the time of publication.
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