Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were dragged from their bedroom during the overnight US military raid that led to their capture, according to officials briefed on the operation, as cited by CNN.
The couple were asleep at their home inside the heavily guarded Ft Tiuna military complex in Caracas when US special forces stormed the residence, as per news agency AP.
US bombs Venezuela - follow live updates The operation, carried out by the US Army’s elite Delta Force alongside FBI agents, lasted less than 30 minutes and resulted in no American fatalities.
US President Donald Trump said Maduro had been taken from a “fortress”, describing the absence of US deaths as “amazing”, though he acknowledged some personnel were injured. Trump said that they are aboard a US warship.
Fox reported that the duo will reach New York on Monday.
The United States launched a swift overnight military operation against Venezuela early on Saturday, capturing Maduro and his wife. US officials say both will face narco-terrorism charges in American courts.
Explosions were reported across Caracas in an assault lasting less than half an hour. At least seven blasts were heard, apparently targeting military sites, with smoke rising from a base hangar and power cut at another installation.
Earlier Trump said in a social media post that Maduro “has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.” Venezuelan ruling party figure Nahum Fernández said the pair were seized at their residence inside the Ft. Tiuna military complex.
The operation followed months of escalating US pressure, including naval deployments and strikes on alleged drug-smuggling routes. Last week, a CIA drone strike reportedly hit a Venezuelan docking site linked to cartels.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and Flores had been indicted in New York and “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.” She detailed charges including “Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy” and weapons offences. Trump said the couple were being held aboard a US warship and would be prosecuted in New York.
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