US Forces Detain Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas Raid, Officials Claim

The United States military has carried out a major operation inside Venezuela and detained President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Adela Flores, according to statements from US officials and social media posts by former US President Donald Trump.

US officials said the operation was conducted by Delta Force, the US Army’s elite counterterrorism unit, following coordinated attacks at multiple locations in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. Delta Force is regarded as one of the most specialized units within the US military.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump confirmed the operation, claiming that US forces had “successfully carried out a large-scale strike in Venezuela” and had captured President Maduro and his wife before removing them from the country. Trump said the operation was conducted jointly with US law enforcement agencies and announced that further details would be provided at a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m. at Mar-a-Lago.

The Venezuelan government, however, issued a sharply worded statement accusing the United States of launching attacks on both civilian and military facilities in several regions, describing the actions as a “direct military aggression.” According to Caracas, strikes occurred not only in the capital but also in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. Venezuelan authorities alleged that Washington’s objective was to seize control of the country’s oil and mineral resources, a claim the US has not officially addressed.

Amid the unfolding events, President Maduro was reported by Venezuelan state media to have declared a nationwide state of emergency.

According to the Associated Press, shortly before reports of a series of explosions in Caracas, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned commercial flights from using Venezuelan airspace, citing “ongoing military activity.” Soon after the restriction was announced, at least seven explosions were reportedly heard in the capital.

Tensions between Washington and Caracas have been high for years. Trump has repeatedly accused Maduro of facilitating drug trafficking and encouraging illegal migration to the United States, arguing that any US action would aim to disrupt narcotics networks. Maduro, for his part, has accused Trump of seeking to turn Venezuela into a US colony and targeting the country’s vast fossil fuel reserves.

International reactions

The reported operation triggered swift reactions from governments around the world:

• Iran, a close ally of Venezuela, strongly condemned the US action, calling it a blatant violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and territorial integrity.

• Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro described the move as an attack on Latin American sovereignty and warned it could spark a humanitarian crisis, urging an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

• Cuba labeled the operation “state terrorism” against the Venezuelan people and called for an international response.

• Russia denounced the US move as an unjustified armed aggression driven by ideological hostility rather than diplomacy.

• Spain urged de-escalation and said it was ready to help mediate a peaceful, dialogue-based solution.

• Germany, Italy, and Belgium said they were closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with partners, with Italy also focusing on the safety of its citizens in Caracas.

• Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the country was not involved in the operation and reaffirmed peaceful relations with Venezuela.

• Indonesia called on all parties to prioritize dialogue, de-escalation, and the protection of civilians.

Within the United States, several Democratic senators criticized the alleged operation. Senator Brian Schatz said the US had no national interest in going to war in Venezuela, while Senator Ruben Gallego described the action as illegal, warning that the country risked shifting from “world police to world bully.”

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales, another ally of Caracas, strongly rejected what he described as US bombing of Venezuela.

Reports from the ground

Various media reports have claimed that airstrikes targeted areas near Fort Tiuna, a major military complex in southern Caracas. Videos circulating on social media purportedly show the moment of an attack in the area, though their authenticity has not been independently verified. Preliminary reports also claim that the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base was targeted and that US CH-47 Chinook helicopters were seen flying over Caracas during the operation. Wide-angle footage shared online appears to show airstrikes on multiple targets across the city, according to these claims.

Independent verification of many details remains difficult as the situation continues to develop.