At a Glance
- U.S. forces launched a 30-minute strike on Caracas, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and wife Cilia Flores.
- The pair will face narco-terrorism and drug-trafficking charges in New York courts.
- The operation left Venezuelan military sites damaged and sparked regional concern.
- Why it matters: It marks a rare U.S. military intervention in a sovereign nation, with potential global legal and political repercussions.
The U.S. launched a 30-minute strike on Caracas early Saturday, using low-flying aircraft and explosions that sounded at least seven blasts. Smoke rose from the hangar of a military base in Caracas and another installation lost power. Venezuelan officials said casualties occurred, but the scale remains unclear.
- At least seven blasts were heard.
- Smoke was seen rising from a military hangar.
- Another military installation lost power.
- Maduro and Flores were captured at the Ft. Tiuna military installation outside Caracas.
Trump posted that Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country.
Trump stated:
> “Maduro has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”
The U.S. said a few operatives were injured but no deaths were reported. Trump described the operation as practiced on a replica building and said Caracas lights were turned off. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said some civilians and military were killed.
Legal Charges and Indictments
Maduro faces charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machineguns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machineguns and destructive devices. He was indicted in March 2020 and the indictment alleges that up to 250 tons of cocaine were trafficked through Venezuela by 2020. The indictment claims the drug trafficking enriched and entrenched Venezuela’s political and military elite.
| Charge | Description |
|---|---|
| Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy | Conspiracy to engage in terrorism linked to drug trafficking |
| Cocaine Importation Conspiracy | Conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S. |
| Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices | Illegal possession of firearms and explosives |
| Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices | Conspiracy to possess firearms and explosives |
Pam Bondi said:
> “Maduro and Flores had both been indicted in the Southern District of New York and will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”
Reactions from U.S. and International Leaders
Mike Lee said:
> “The action likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack.”
Tim Kaine stated:
> “President Trump’s unauthorized military attack on Venezuela to arrest Maduro – however terrible he is – is a sickening return to a day when the United States asserted the right to dominate the internal political affairs of all nations in the Western Hemisphere.”
Christopher Sabatini warned:
> “The U.S. strikes open up an entirely unforeseen, in many ways unexpected, series of events, and it’s unclear what kind of government will emerge.”
Kaja Kallas called for restraint:
> “Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the U.N. Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.”
Keir Starmer said:
> “The U.K. was not involved in any way.”
Pedro Sánchez said:
> “Spain was conducting a thorough monitoring of the events in Venezuela and called for de-escalation and responsibility.”
Miguel Díaz-Canel called the attack a criminal attack:
> “The criminal attack.”
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said:
> “An unacceptable infringement on the sovereignty of an independent state.”
Colombia sent troops to the border and warned of a refugee influx. Argentina’s President Milei celebrated the operation, while Brazil’s Lula condemned it.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. captured Maduro and Flores in a midnight strike on Caracas.
- They will face U.S. narco-terrorism charges in New York.
- The move has drawn sharp criticism and raised questions about international law.
The operation marks a significant escalation in U.S.-Venezuela tensions and may reshape the region’s political landscape.
