Updated on: Jan 03, 2026 03:15 pm IST
Venezuela president Nicolas Maduro captured after US strikes, says Trump
US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, has been “captured and flown out of the country”, confirming large-scale strikes on the South American nation.
The Venezuelan government declared a national emergency after the explosions and said in a statement that it had rejected what it described as “military aggression by the United States”.
“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 AM at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Venezuela’s defence minister, Vladimir Padrino, said in a video early on Saturday that his country “will resist the presence of foreign troops”, thus all but confirming a ground invasion by the United States.