The United States has ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, saying that the target has been captured.
In a statement posted to his Truth Social account, Trump confirmed that U.S. forces launched a significant military assault against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Maduro and his wife, who have both been removed from the country. The president described the action as a “large-scale strike” executed “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.” A contingent that included elite American special forces reportedly apprehended Maduro, according to the report.
Earlier in the day, Caracas witnessed at least seven explosions accompanied by sightings of low-flying aircraft, prompting immediate emergency measures throughout Venezuela. The Venezuelan administration, which has been led by Maduro for years, accused Washington of targeting both civilian and military sites across several states, denouncing the attack as an act of “military aggression.” Following the incidents, authorities in Venezuela declared a national emergency.
Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela for over a decade, was charged by a U.S. federal court in 2020 on counts of narco-terrorism and other crimes. U.S. prosecutors allege that he operated a vast cocaine trafficking ring, referred to as the “Cartel de Los Soles,” funneling large quantities of the drug into the United States.
President Donald Trump had repeatedly warned in recent months that military action against targets inside Venezuela was being considered, particularly in response to alleged drug-trafficking operations involving maritime routes.
Maduro has rejected the accusations and characterized U.S. actions as an attempt to remove him from office.
Meanwhile, Washington has expanded its military footprint in the region, combining security operations with economic pressure. U.S. authorities have confiscated oil tankers subject to sanctions near Venezuelan waters, while additional vessels were blocked under orders from President Trump—measures widely seen as aimed at further restricting the country’s already strained economy.
Since early September, U.S. forces have conducted repeated operations against boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
The latest events underscore growing geopolitical risks surrounding Venezuela, with potential implications for regional stability, energy markets, and investor sentiment toward Latin American assets amid heightened uncertainty.
