Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that United States forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following what he described as a “large-scale strike” against the South American nation.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced that the operation resulted in Maduro and his wife being taken into custody and removed from the country.
> “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump wrote.
He added that the action was coordinated with domestic authorities, saying:
> “This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.”
Trump also disclosed plans to address the development publicly, announcing a news conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (1600 GMT) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he is spending the final days of his Christmas and New Year holiday.
In a brief telephone interview with The New York Times, the former president praised the mission, describing it as a major success.
> “A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people,” the paper quoted Trump as saying, while hailing the operation as “brilliant.”
The dramatic claim comes after months of escalating U.S. military and economic pressure on Maduro’s government, which has been grappling with a prolonged crisis in its oil-dependent economy. Trump has repeatedly issued warnings to the Venezuelan leader, stating in December that “it would be smart for (Maduro)” to step aside and declaring that Maduro’s “days are numbered.”
The announcement also follows recent attempts by Maduro to reach out to Washington. Just two days earlier, the Venezuelan president reportedly sought engagement with Trump, offering cooperation on combating drug trafficking and illegal migration.
Trump has advanced multiple justifications for his hardline stance against Venezuela, including allegations that the country is a significant source of drugs entering the United States and claims that U.S. oil assets were seized. While he has stopped short of explicitly calling for Maduro’s removal, the U.S. government—alongside several European countries—has consistently refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.
Meanwhile, the United States has significantly increased its military footprint in the Caribbean, deploying a large naval and aerial force that includes the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and several other warships.
As part of an oil blockade, U.S. forces have reportedly seized two tankers at sea and carried out aerial strikes that have killed more than 100 people, targeting small boats accused of involvement in drug trafficking. Earlier this week, Trump told reporters that American forces had struck and destroyed a docking facility allegedly used by Venezuelan drug boats, marking what he described as the first confirmed attack on Venezuelan soil during the ongoing campaign.
