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U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the United States carried out a large-scale military strike on Venezuela and captured the country’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, a claim that quickly sparked global attention and uncertainty. According to Trump, U.S. forces, working alongside U.S. law enforcement, detained Maduro and his wife and flew them out of Venezuela, with further details promised at a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. at Mar-a-Lago.
Following Trump’s statement, multiple media outlets and eyewitnesses reported explosions across Venezuela early Saturday morning. Residents in Caracas said they heard loud blasts and aircraft sounds beginning around 1:50 a.m. local time, with power outages reported in parts of the southern capital near a major military base. Social media posts on X suggested strikes on several targets, including a military installation, a port, and an airport near Caracas, though official confirmation was limited.
CNN reported that its crew observed several explosions in the capital, while helicopters believed to be linked to U.S. forces were allegedly seen flying overhead. Venezuelan outlets Efecto Cocuyo and Tal Cual Digital also reported explosions in La Guaira state, along the northern coast, and in Higuerote, a coastal city in Miranda state. Additional unverified reports mentioned possible strikes on an air base, a naval base in Vargas state, and even an oil refinery in Caracas.
The Venezuelan government issued a strong statement rejecting what it described as U.S. “military aggression,” accusing Washington of attempting to seize Venezuela’s oil and mineral resources. Officials said the country would resist and called on political and social groups to mobilize in response.
International reaction followed quickly. Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on X that Caracas was under missile attack and urged emergency meetings of the Organization of American States and the United Nations. Meanwhile, CBS reported that Trump administration officials were aware of reports describing explosions and aircraft activity over Caracas, underscoring the rapidly developing and highly sensitive nature of the situation.
