Washington: US President Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social early on Saturday (Washington time) to claim that it was the United States which had carried out a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, and that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country.
Trump further said details of the operation, conducted in conjunction with US law enforcement agencies, will be shared at a news conference later in the day.
“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. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement,” Trump wrote.
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. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) January 3, 2026
Trump told the New York Times it was a ‘brilliant operation’.
“A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people. It was a brilliant operation, actually,” the American President said.
There was no immediate confirmation from the Venezuelan government regarding Trump’s claims.
Several loud explosions, accompanied by the sound of low-flying aircraft, were heard across Venezuela capital Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, AFP and Associated Press reported.
The explosions were heard around 2 am local time (11.30 am IST), according to AFP. At least seven explosions were heard as aircraft flew over several neighbourhoods of the city at low altitude, reported AP.
Images and videos of the American strikes on Caracas were shared on social media.
Full support to Venezuela against this unprovoked attack by the United States! pic.twitter.com/sYWTuoxX3K
— Syrian Girl (@Partisangirl) January 3, 2026
This is the first time the United States has carried out a direct military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, when former military ruler Manuel Noriega was captured.
The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Maduro of running a “narco state” and rigging national elections. Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chávez in 2013, has repeatedly rejected the allegations, saying the United States is seeking to seize control of Venezuela’s oil reserves.
Earlier on Saturday, Venezuelan Defence minister Vladimir Padrino said in a video message that his government will resist the presence of foreign troops. He alleged that a US attack had struck civilian areas and said authorities were compiling information on those killed and injured.
