US Launches Major Strikes on Venezuela; Trump Claims Maduro Captured, Caracas Demands Proof

The United States launched large-scale military strikes on Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday, triggering explosions across Caracas and other cities and plunging the region into a rapidly unfolding political and security crisis.

US President Donald Trump later claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by American forces during the operation and flown out of the country. Posting on Truth Social, Trump described the action as “successful,” stating that it followed months of escalating pressure on the Maduro government, whose oil-dependent economy has been severely strained by US sanctions.

Explosions were reported in the Venezuelan capital at around 2 a.m. local time, with helicopters seen flying over several parts of the city for nearly an hour, according to media reports and social media footage. The strikes marked a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington and Caracas.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez rejected the US claims and demanded that Washington provide “proof of life” of President Maduro, saying that the government was unaware of the whereabouts of either Maduro or Flores.

Senior Venezuelan officials accused US forces of striking residential areas and endangering civilian lives. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López condemned the attacks as an act of invasion and announced a nationwide mobilisation of Venezuela’s military, including land, air, naval and missile units. He said the country would defend itself against what he described as foreign aggression.

The United States has not released further details on the scope of the operation or provided independent confirmation of Trump’s claims. The situation remains fluid, with international concern mounting over the potential for further escalation.