US Launches Major Military Operation in Venezuela, Maduro Captured

US Launches Major Military Operation in Venezuela, Maduro Captured

CNB World Times

The United States carried out large-scale military strikes inside Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday. US President Donald Trump ordered attacks on several sites, including Venezuelan military facilities. The action marked a sharp escalation in Washington’s long-running confrontation with the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

Loud explosions were heard across parts of Caracas before dawn and the sound of low-flying aircraft was also heard over the capital. Many residents woke up in fear as the ground shook due to the blasts.

Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, described the frightening moments. She said the whole ground shook and the air felt heavy. She was walking with relatives after attending a birthday party when the explosions occurred.

US officials later confirmed that the strikes were part of a coordinated military operation. A senior US military official said more than 150 aircraft were involved in the mission. The operation was supported by US law enforcement agencies.

Later on Saturday, the US announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had surrendered to US forces in Caracas. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the couple were taken into custody without any loss of American life. He said the operation was carried out with precision and professionalism.

US President Donald Trump claimed that the United States had carried out a “large-scale strike” and captured Maduro and his wife. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the couple had been flown out of Venezuela. He said more details would be shared at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago.

Trump later released an image showing Nicolás Maduro aboard a US warship. He claimed the Venezuelan leader was on the USS Iwo Jima and was being taken to New York to face federal charges related to drug and weapon offences.

According to US officials, US special forces stormed Maduro’s residence at around 2:01 am local time. Trump said US forces cut power in Caracas during the operation. He claimed Maduro tried to escape into a fortified safe room but was captured before he could secure it.

The US military said Maduro was captured by Delta Force, with help from intelligence sources inside the Venezuelan government. Trump confirmed that no US personnel were killed and only a few were injured during the mission.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later said that Maduro would face criminal trial in the United States. The Department of Justice confirmed that Maduro and his wife had already been indicted in New York.

The military operation followed months of increasing pressure on Venezuela. On February 26, 2025, President Trump cancelled oil concessions that had been granted under the previous US administration. This move cut off an important source of revenue for Maduro’s government.

On March 24, the US imposed a 25 percent tariff on countries that continued to buy Venezuelan oil. The decision aimed to isolate Venezuela economically and discourage global trade with the Maduro administration.

On August 8, the US doubled the bounty on Maduro to 50 million dollars. It also designated the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisation. US officials accused Venezuela’s leadership of links to drug trafficking networks.

International reaction to the strikes was swift. Russia, Iran, China, Brazil, the European Union and the United Kingdom either condemned the action or called for restraint. Venezuela requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The US Federal Aviation Administration advised commercial airlines to avoid Caribbean airspace. It warned of potential risks due to ongoing US military activity in the region.

Trump described the operation as a success and said he watched Maduro’s capture live. He said the US would play a major role in deciding what happens next in Venezuela. His comments raised questions about possible regime change.

US Vice President JD Vance defended the operation. He said President Trump had repeatedly offered Maduro chances to de-escalate tensions. He added that the White House had been clear about its demands on drug trafficking and oil disputes.

Nicolás Maduro first came to power in 2013 after the death of President Hugo Chávez. Over the years, his rule deeply divided Venezuela and led to economic collapse and international sanctions.

Attention has now turned to Venezuela’s opposition. Maria Corina Machado, a leading opposition figure, has been mentioned as a key voice in the country’s future. Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her work on democratic rights, has been living in hiding.

The United States’ actions show a clear escalation from economic pressure to direct military intervention. The events of Saturday mark a dramatic turning point in Venezuela’s political history and in US–Venezuela relations.