President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that the United States military has conducted a "large-scale strike" in Venezuela and that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife, have been captured and flown out of the country.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated the operation was carried out in coordination with U.S. law enforcement and was successful. He is expected to address the nation from Mar-a-Lago later in the day.
Reports of Explosions in Caracas
The announcement followed reports from Caracas of at least seven explosions heard in the early morning hours, along with sightings of low-flying aircraft. The Venezuelan government confirmed that locations in the capital and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira were impacted.
Background of Escalation
This dramatic escalation follows a series of recent U.S. military actions targeting suspected drug trafficking operations linked to the Venezuelan regime. In late December, the CIA reportedly struck a dock area inside Venezuela alleged to be used by cartels to load narcotics. The U.S. government had also previously offered a $50 million bounty for information leading to Maduro's arrest.
International Reaction and Next Steps
Venezuela's vice president has since demanded proof of life for Maduro, signaling a potential leadership crisis. The situation remains fluid as the international community awaits further details and confirmation from U.S. officials.
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