The US on Saturday captured the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, which was shared by US President
Donald Trump in a dramatic post on Truth Social, following a "large-scale strike" on Venezuela made early Saturday.
"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," wrote Trump in his post.
Follow latest updates"This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement," Trump added, stating further details shall be shared in a press conference at Mar-a-Lago. The Venezuelan authorities have not confirmed the claims.
The announcement came hours after a series of explosions rocked Caracas, with low-flying aircraft seen over the capital. At least seven blasts were reported as residents rushed into the streets, while others shared footage and accounts online. The strikes appeared to last less than half an hour, though parts of the city remained without electricity hours later.
Who is Nicolás Maduro?
- Born in Caracas in 1962, Maduro began his working life as a bus driver and metro union leader
- Rose through Venezuela’s left-wing political movement as a close ally of Hugo Chávez
- Served as foreign minister from 2006 to 2013, helping establish regional blocs such as ALBA and CELAC
- Appointed vice-president in 2012 and became interim president after Chávez died in 2013
- Won a narrowly contested election in 2013 and has remained in power amid repeated allegations of fraud
- His rule has been marked by sanctions, economic collapse, mass protests and international isolation
Also read: US strikes Venezuela: Emergency declared after multiple explosions; videos show panicMaduro’s presidency has long been challenged by the United States and its allies, with Washington accusing him of human rights abuses, electoral manipulation and narco-terrorism.
The US formally charged Maduro in 2020 and later designated his government as a foreign terrorist organisation in 2025.
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