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Trump Says US Airstrike Hit Venezuela, Claims President Maduro Captured

By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON/CARACAS — US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had carried out a large-scale airstrike against Venezuela, claiming the operation resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were allegedly flown out of the country.

Trump made the assertion in a public statement, saying the operation was conducted in coordination with US law enforcement agencies, and announced that further details would be provided at a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. at Mar-a-Lago.

The dramatic claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate confirmation from the Venezuelan government or international observers. Venezuelan authorities have previously denied reports of US military action on their territory, while state media in Caracas has yet to comment on Trump’s statement.

Trump’s remarks come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, following reports earlier this week of explosions and suspected US strikes linked to anti-narcotics operations. Trump has recently confirmed US involvement in attacks on Venezuelan infrastructure that he said was being used by drug traffickers, framing the actions as part of a broader campaign against organized crime and regional instability.

Relations between the United States and Venezuela have been hostile for years, with Washington accusing President Maduro of authoritarian rule, human rights abuses, and ties to drug trafficking networks — allegations Caracas has repeatedly rejected, calling them attempts to undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty and destabilize the government.

The situation remains highly fluid, with analysts warning that unverified claims of leadership capture could significantly raise regional tensions if confirmed. All eyes are now on Trump’s scheduled press conference, which is expected to clarify the scope and nature of the alleged US operation.