Trump Claims US Captured Maduro And Wife in Strikes On Venezuela After Caracas Blasts
President Donald Trump revealed on Saturday that American forces launched large-scale strikes on Venezuela. He declared that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are now in U.S. custody after being flown out of the country. The mission unfolded alongside U.S. law enforcement, Trump noted.
The announcement followed reports of huge explosions rocking Caracas just hours before. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth quickly amplified Trump’s message by reposting it.
Trump offered no specifics about Maduro and Flores’ current location or the Caracas operations. He scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. local time at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
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In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Venezuela’s government, meanwhile, pressed for confirmation of Maduro and Flores’ safety. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez aired an audio message on state television, stating they have no information on the pair’s whereabouts. “We demand immediate proof of life of President Nicolas Maduro and the first combatant Cilia Flores,” she urged.