US forces capture Venezuelan President Maduro in overnight operation, Trump says he’s already on his way to face charges

The U.S. attacked Venezuela and removed President Nicolas Maduro in an overnight mission on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced. This is the most direct American military action in Latin America since the U.S. invaded Panama in 1989.

“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 on Truth Social, according to Reuters.

U.S. troops knocked out power in parts of Caracas and captured Maduro at one of his safe houses. They moved so fast he couldn’t even close the steel doors, Trump also revealed. Maduro and his wife are now on the USS Iwo Jima, a military ship in the Caribbean. They will be brought to the United States to face criminal charges. Maduro ran Venezuela with strict control for over 12 years, and his removal leaves an unclear future for the country.

Maduro’s expected replacement is reportedly in Russia right now

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who would normally take over, is in Russia according to four sources. This has created confusion about who will lead Venezuela next. Russia’s foreign ministry denied the report and called it fake news.

Venezuela’s ruling party said both civilians and military members died in Saturday’s strikes but didn’t give exact numbers. Trump said a couple of people were hit but no American soldiers died. When asked what comes next for Venezuela, Trump said the U.S. would be very involved in the country’s future but hasn’t made final decisions yet.

Trump said the U.S. can’t risk letting someone like Maduro take power again. He added that America would be strongly involved in Venezuela’s oil industry. The country has the largest oil reserves in the world. This comes after Trump ordered a complete naval blockade targeting Venezuelan oil resources.

Maduro is 63 years old and used to drive buses before entering politics. Hugo Chavez picked him as his replacement before dying in 2013. The U.S. accused Maduro of running a drug operation and rigging the 2024 election. Maduro denied these claims and said Washington just wanted to control Venezuela’s oil. Previously, Maduro had attempted to negotiate oil talks with the U.S.

A federal court charged Maduro in 2020 with drug crimes. Prosecutors say he ran a plan to ship tons of cocaine to the U.S. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and his wife will face justice in American courts. Trump said the mission included special forces like Delta Force, and a CIA source inside Maduro’s circle helped track his movements.