Caracas/Washington: United States President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and removed from Venezuela following a series of explosions in the capital and other regions.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country.”
According to Venezuelan authorities, attacks were reported not only in Caracas but also in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. In response, President Maduro declared a national emergency, mobilising defence forces and ordering the implementation of all national security protocols. The government called on its supporters to demonstrate, urging social and political groups to “activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.” The emergency declaration, described as a “state of external disturbance,” grants the president expanded powers over military deployment and civil liberties.
The explosions follow a series of escalated actions by the Trump administration, which has accused Maduro of operating a “narco-state” and conducting fraudulent elections. Washington has cited Venezuela’s oil wealth as a key strategic factor, while Maduro has repeatedly claimed that U.S. interventions aim to seize control of the country’s resources.
Last week, the CIA reportedly carried out a drone strike targeting a docking area allegedly used by Venezuelan drug cartels, marking the first known direct U.S. operation on Venezuelan soil since September. Trump had previously warned of potential strikes on Venezuelan territory after months of attacks on boats accused of transporting narcotics.
The U.S. Embassy in Caracas, which has been closed since 2019, issued a warning to American citizens in Venezuela, noting reports of explosions in and around the capital.
The situation remains fluid, with heightened tensions between Caracas and Washington, and international attention focused on the implications of Trump’s claims for regional stability.
