The US captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores on Saturday, the US president announced Donald Trump in a dramatic post on Truth Social following a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela early Saturday.“The United States of America has successfully launched a major attack against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who was captured along with his wife and flown out of the country,” Trump wrote in his post.“This operation was conducted in cooperation with U.S. law enforcement,” Trump added, saying more details would be announced at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago. Venezuelan authorities have not confirmed the claims.The announcement came hours after a series of explosions rocked Caracas and low-flying aircraft were seen over the capital. At least seven explosions were reported as residents poured into the streets, while others shared footage and reports online. The strikes appeared to last less than half an hour, although parts of the city remained without power hours later.
Who is Nicolas Maduro?
- Maduro was born in Caracas in 1962 and began his working life as a bus driver and subway union leader
- As a close ally of Hugo Chávez, he rose in Venezuela’s left-wing political movement
- Was Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2013 and helped set up regional blocs such as ALBA and CELAC
- Appointed vice president in 2012 and interim president after Chávez’s death in 2013
- Won a closely contested election in 2013 and remained in power despite repeated allegations of fraud
- His rule was marked by sanctions, economic collapse, mass protests and international isolation
Maduro’s presidency has long been contested by the United States and its allies, with Washington accusing him of human rights abuses, election manipulation and drug terrorism. The US officially indicted Maduro in 2020 and later designated his government as a foreign terrorist organization in 2025.
