Donald Trump announced that the United States carried out air strikes on Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, flying them out of the country.
According to Trump, the operation involved U.S. law enforcement and followed overnight explosions in Caracas and other regions, after which Venezuela declared a state of emergency. The strikes came after months of escalating U.S. pressure over alleged drug trafficking, with the U.S. labelling Maduro’s government a narco-terrorist state.
U.S. officials say Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured early Saturday by elite U.S. special forces. According to officials speaking to CBS News, the operation was carried out by the Delta Force, the U.S. Army’s top-tier special operations unit.
Delta Force is known for high-risk operations such as counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and missions targeting high-value individuals, including the 2019 raid that killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
A U.S. official said there were no American casualties during the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, but declined to comment on any Venezuelan losses. Donald Trump praised the mission as “brilliant,” crediting strong planning and the performance of U.S. troops involved.
Although Maduro had recently suggested a deal to step down, no agreement was reached, and the military action proceeded. Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, condemned the attacks, saying Venezuela was being bombed with missiles.
