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US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been taken into custody by American military forces. The assertion came amid reports of pre-dawn explosions, thick columns of black smoke, and power outages across parts of the country, including the capital Caracas.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States had carried out a “successful operation” against Venezuela and its leadership. He claimed that Maduro and his wife were detained and removed from the country, adding that the operation was conducted in coordination with US law enforcement agencies. Trump also announced a press conference at Mar-a-Lago at 11 am to provide further details.
However, there was no immediate official confirmation from the White House or the Pentagon. The US Department of Defense referred media queries to the White House, while the administration refrained from issuing a formal statement, leaving key aspects of the claim unverified.
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Blasts in Four Cities, Blackout in Caracas
According to Reuters, US military forces targeted four Venezuelan cities—Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. In the capital, at least seven loud explosions were heard around 2 am local time, witnesses said. Residents reported the sound of fast-moving aircraft overhead, followed by dense smoke plumes rising from multiple locations.
Smoke was seen billowing from a hangar at a military facility, while electricity supply was disrupted in parts of southern Caracas. As the blasts echoed across neighborhoods, residents rushed out onto the streets in panic. From several vantage points, flames and smoke were visible across large swathes of the city, heightening fears of a wider escalation.
Eyewitness Accounts and Social Media Footage
Videos circulating on social media showed buildings on fire and dark smoke hanging over the skyline. Locals said flames and smoke columns were visible from a considerable distance. The Associated Press quoted a local resident who said the explosions made the ground shake, describing the moment as “terrifying” as aircraft roared overhead and shockwaves rippled through nearby streets.
Venezuelan Government Hits Back
In a statement issued after the strikes, the Venezuelan government accused the United States of launching a major attack on civilian and military targets. Calling it an assault on national sovereignty, authorities urged social and political forces to unite and take to the streets in protest against what they described as an “imperialist attack.” The statement appealed for mass mobilisation to defend the country.
Background: Mounting Pressure and Military Build-up
Trump has for months warned of tougher measures against Venezuela. The United States has seized several sanctioned oil tankers near Venezuela’s coastline and ordered a blockade of others—moves widely seen as tightening economic pressure on Caracas.
Separately, US forces have been conducting operations against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific since early September. The Trump administration says these actions are aimed at curbing drug trafficking. In November, the US deployed its most advanced aircraft carrier to the region, bringing thousands of additional troops and marking what analysts describe as the largest American military presence in South American waters in years.
What Comes Next
Trump’s claim of Maduro’s detention, coupled with the overnight explosions in Caracas and other cities, underscores that US–Venezuela tensions have entered a dangerous new phase. While the alleged capture of Venezuela’s president has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, the absence of official confirmation has left critical questions unanswered.
Attention now turns to Trump’s promised press conference, the White House’s next move, and the response of international bodies. With risks to regional stability and potential spillovers into global oil markets, the unfolding situation is being closely watched worldwide.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
