In an unprecedented escalation of tensions in Latin America, the United States has carried out a large-scale military operation in Venezuela, with US President Donald Trump declaring that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and removed from the country early on Saturday.
The announcement has set off a storm of international reactions and raised urgent questions about regional stability and the legality of the intervention.
Explosions were reported across Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, in the early hours of the morning, with blasts hitting military bases and other strategic sites.
In a message posted on his social network, Trump said the United States had “successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader,” and that Maduro and his wife had been flown out in conjunction with US law enforcement.
According to Washington sources, elite US special forces, including Delta Force units, were involved in the operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture.
Trump signalled that the Venezuelan president would be brought to the United States to face charges relating to narcotics and weapons offences, including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Maduro and Flores will “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil,” citing a federal indictment first filed in 2020 that accused Maduro of involvement with the so-called “Cartel of the Suns,” a network allegedly linked to drug trafficking and providing arms to armed groups.
The Venezuelan government has rejected the US narrative, describing the strikes as an act of unwarranted aggression.
Venezuela Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded immediate proof of life and location of the detained couple, highlighting that Caracas had lost contact with its president.
Venezuelan officials have condemned the attack as a violation of sovereignty and indicated plans to pursue action through international bodies.
In response to the strikes, Venezuela declared a nationwide state of emergency and urged its citizens to remain calm amidst reports of explosions and military activity. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López claimed US forces of hitting residential areas and critical infrastructure, exacerbating public concern in the capital.
World leaders reacted swiftly. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the operation as crossing an “unacceptable line” and a breach of international law, while Colombia mobilised troops to its border amid fears of a refugee crisis and urged for de-escalation.
Other governments, including Russia and Iran, marked the strikes as flagrant violations of Venezuelan sovereignty. European nations called for de-escalation and mediation.
In the US, opinions varied, with Republican lawmakers lauding the move as a decisive action against social and criminal instability tied to drug trafficking.
Critics have raised concerns about the constitutional basis for military action in a foreign state without clear congressional authorisation, amplifying debates about executive power and international norms.
The full implications of Maduro’s capture are yet to unfold. Venezuelan legal succession remains unclear, while US officials assert that the action marks a significant shift in efforts to confront transnational crime and destabilising elements in the hemisphere.
The operation could set a new standard for future foreign policy and regional security dynamics as governments worldwide scrutinise the aftermath.
Sources: Reuters, ABC News, The Guardian, Associated Press
