Venezuela live updates: US carries out ‘large scale strike,’ Maduro and his wife ‘captured,’ Trump says

President Donald Trump made a shocking announcement on social media in the early hours of Saturday, stating that the U.S. had conducted a large-scale strike against Venezuela. According to Trump, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country as part of the operation.

The announcement came shortly after reports of explosions in Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela. Witnesses reported hearing several explosions, and images and videos shared online showed plumes of smoke and a massive fireball in the night sky.

Trump revealed that the operation was carried out in collaboration with U.S. law enforcement agencies and promised to hold a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort at 11 a.m. to provide further details.

In a brief interview with The New York Times, Trump expressed satisfaction with the success of the mission to capture Maduro. He praised the planning and execution of the operation, describing it as “brilliant.”

When asked about seeking congressional authorization for the operation and the future of Venezuela, Trump indicated that he would address these matters during his upcoming news conference.

The escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have been evident in recent military activities, including the deployment of U.S. forces in the Caribbean and efforts to intercept alleged drug-smuggling vessels.

In response to the events, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning prohibiting U.S. civil aircraft from flying over Venezuela due to safety concerns related to ongoing military activities.

The Venezuelan government condemned what it described as a “grave military aggression” by the U.S. in Caracas and several states, including Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. Maduro declared a state of External Disturbance across the national territory and activated national defense plans in response to the situation.

As the situation continues to unfold, this remains a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.