United States forces conducted a large-scale military strike on Venezuela early on Saturday, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, who was subsequently flown out of the country, as announced by President Donald Trump on social media and detailed in a subsequent news conference.
President Donald Trump announced that US forces executed a large-scale strike on Venezuela early Saturday morning, capturing President Nicolás Maduro at the presidential palace in Caracas and flying him out of the country in an extraordinary nighttime operation, according to the Associated Press.
Details of the US Military Operation
According to the Associated Press, the United States hit Venezuela with a large-scale strike early Saturday, targeting the presidential palace where President Nicolás Maduro was captured using blowtorches to breach secure areas, with special forces completing the extraction and airlifting him to an undisclosed location outside Venezuela.
As reported by Associated Press for Associated Press, President Donald Trump confirmed the operation on social media hours after the attack, stating it was a decisive action against the Maduro regime.
Background to Venezuela-US Tensions
Relations between the United States and Venezuela have been strained for years, with President Donald Trump previously recognising opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president in 2019 amid disputed elections, leading to sanctions and diplomatic isolation of Nicolás Maduro’s government, as covered extensively by major news outlets.
Trump’s Announcement and Immediate Aftermath
The Associated Press reported that President Trump held a news conference following the strike, where he detailed the operation’s success, noting that US forces overcame heavy resistance at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, with video footage showing the use of specialised equipment to gain entry.
Implications of the Capture
According to the Associated Press, the capture of Nicolás Maduro marks a significant escalation in US intervention in Venezuela, with President Trump indicating in his announcement that it paves the way for a transitional government, though no specific timeline for trials or further actions has been outlined by US officials.
The US strike and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro represent a major development in long-standing tensions, as verified by reports from the Associated Press detailing President Donald Trump’s social media announcement and news conference confirmation.
