US Military Strikes Capture Venezuelan President Maduro, Trump Claims
In a shocking and sudden move, the United States launched military strikes on Venezuela early Saturday morning. The operation, described by US officials as a limited law enforcement action, resulted in the alleged capture of Venezuelan President Nicolรกs Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
According to Trump's administration, US personnel successfully apprehended the couple and removed them from the country to face prosecution in the United States. However, the Venezuelan government has not confirmed this claim, and officials have accused the US of carrying out an "unlawful military attack" aimed at destabilizing the country.
Explosions were reported in and around Caracas overnight, with civilian infrastructure targeted by the US forces. The Trump administration claims that the action was taken due to long-standing US charges against Maduro, whom Washington has accused of involvement in drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.
Attorney General Pam Bondi recently updated the charges against Maduro, adding his wife Cilia Flores to the original indictment, which focused on him and other state officials. This move appears to have been a key factor leading up to the US military strikes.
However, Venezuela's government has vehemently rejected the US account of the attack, demanding proof of life for Maduro and Flores. Venezuelan defense officials condemned the strikes as unjustified aggression, stating that both civilian and military facilities were targeted.
The operation marks the most significant US military action in Venezuela in decades, raising concerns across Latin America and beyond about sovereignty, international law, and potential regional fallout. The current status of Venezuela's leadership remains unclear, with details about the scope of the operation, casualties, and Maduro's fate yet to be confirmed.
As diplomatic pressure mounts on the UN, the situation continues to unfold, with competing claims from Washington and Caracas. A press conference from Mar-a-Lago is set for later Saturday, providing further insight into this developing crisis.
In a shocking and sudden move, the United States launched military strikes on Venezuela early Saturday morning. The operation, described by US officials as a limited law enforcement action, resulted in the alleged capture of Venezuelan President Nicolรกs Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
According to Trump's administration, US personnel successfully apprehended the couple and removed them from the country to face prosecution in the United States. However, the Venezuelan government has not confirmed this claim, and officials have accused the US of carrying out an "unlawful military attack" aimed at destabilizing the country.
Explosions were reported in and around Caracas overnight, with civilian infrastructure targeted by the US forces. The Trump administration claims that the action was taken due to long-standing US charges against Maduro, whom Washington has accused of involvement in drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.
Attorney General Pam Bondi recently updated the charges against Maduro, adding his wife Cilia Flores to the original indictment, which focused on him and other state officials. This move appears to have been a key factor leading up to the US military strikes.
However, Venezuela's government has vehemently rejected the US account of the attack, demanding proof of life for Maduro and Flores. Venezuelan defense officials condemned the strikes as unjustified aggression, stating that both civilian and military facilities were targeted.
The operation marks the most significant US military action in Venezuela in decades, raising concerns across Latin America and beyond about sovereignty, international law, and potential regional fallout. The current status of Venezuela's leadership remains unclear, with details about the scope of the operation, casualties, and Maduro's fate yet to be confirmed.
As diplomatic pressure mounts on the UN, the situation continues to unfold, with competing claims from Washington and Caracas. A press conference from Mar-a-Lago is set for later Saturday, providing further insight into this developing crisis.