Trump claims Maduro 'captured' in US military strike on Venezuela

The Venezuelan government declared a national emergency and denounced the operation as “military aggression”. In a statement on the social media platformTruth Social, Trump said the mission was conducted “in conjunction with US law enforcement” and would be explained further at a press conference from Mar-a-Lago. The White House has not commented publicly. According toCBS News, Maduro and Flores were detained by Delta Force, a special operations unit of the US Army. No details have been released about their location or condition. Venezuela’s Vice PresidentDelcy Rodríguezdemanded “immediate proof of life”, stating the government had lost contact with the president and first lady. US Deputy Secretary of StateChristopher LandausaidMaduro would “finally face justice for his crimes”. In a video address, Venezuelan Defence MinisterVladimir Padrino Lópezannounced the full deployment of armed forces across the country. He accused the US of striking civilian areas and said Venezuela would resist any foreign troop presence. Several sites in Caracas were targeted, including La Carlota military airbase, Fuerte Tiuna complex, the Federal Legislative Palace and Cuartel de la Montaña. Colombia’s PresidentGustavo Petroreleased alist of locationsallegedly bombed, calling for de-escalation and United Nations involvement. He said Colombia had activated emergency response plans along the shared border. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning for all commercial aircraft to avoid Venezuelan airspace due to “ongoing military activity”. The advisory follows the suspension of US diplomatic operations in Venezuela since 2019. Cuba, one of Venezuela’s few remaining allies in the region, condemned the action. PresidentMiguel Díaz-Canelcalled the strike a “criminal attack” and accused Washington of “state terrorism”. In astatement, he described the region as under assault and ended with the phrase: “Homeland or death, we shall overcome.” Russia also issued astatementcalling the US strike an “act of armed aggression” and accused Washington of prioritising ideology over diplomacy. Venezuela’s government accused the US of trying to impose “a colonial war” and seize control of oil and mineral resources. In a national address, Maduro had ordered the implementation of emergency defence plans and called for mass mobilisation against what he called “imperial aggression”. Trump’s administration has repeatedly accused Maduro of overseeing drug trafficking and of attempting to flood the US with migrants. In recent months, US forces have targeted dozens of speedboats andoil tankersallegedly linked to drug operations in Venezuelan waters. Over 100 people have died in those maritime operations since September, according to US figures. This latest strike follows Trump’s earlier authorisation ofCIA operationsin Venezuela and comments in December about attacking ports used for drug shipments. The political situation in Venezuela has remained tense since the 2024 presidential election, which Washington and many other governments refused to recognise. Maduro had claimed victory, but opposition figures and Western states said the process was neither free nor fair. Maduro, who succeededHugo Chávezin 2013, had maintained control through the support of the military and paramilitary groups. His government accused Washington of seeking regime change and exploiting the country’s economic collapse to assert control over its energy resources. HT --- **News Source:** Helsinki Times **Original Article:** [https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/world-int/28379-trump-claims-maduro-captured-in-us-military-strike-on-venezuela.html](https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/world-int/28379-trump-claims-maduro-captured-in-us-military-strike-on-venezuela.html) *This article was originally published on helsinkitimes.fi and is shared here for informational purposes.*