Tension escalates as Trump claims capture of Venezuela’s embattled leader
President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that United States forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following what he described as a “large-scale strike” on the South American nation.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said U.S. forces had successfully carried out an operation targeting Venezuela and its leader, resulting in the arrest of Maduro and his wife. He claimed they were flown out of the country after the operation, which he said was conducted in coordination with U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Trump announced that he would address the development at a news conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. local time at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he is spending the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
Speaking briefly by phone with The New York Times, Trump praised the operation, describing it as “brilliant” and crediting what he called extensive planning and the performance of U.S. troops and personnel involved.
The dramatic claim comes after months of escalating military and economic pressure by Washington against Maduro’s government, amid a prolonged political and economic crisis in Venezuela. Trump has repeatedly accused the leftist leader of presiding over corruption, drug trafficking and the seizure of U.S. oil interests, while warning in December that it would be “smart” for Maduro to step aside.
The announcement also follows recent overtures by Maduro, who reportedly sought dialogue with Trump and offered cooperation on combating drug trafficking and illegal migration just days earlier.
Although Trump has stopped short of openly calling for Maduro’s removal, the United States, alongside several European countries, has long refused to recognize his legitimacy as president.
In recent weeks, the U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying major naval and air assets, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. American forces have also seized oil tankers as part of an expanded blockade and carried out airstrikes targeting vessels accused of drug trafficking.
Earlier this week, Trump said U.S. forces had destroyed a docking facility allegedly used by Venezuelan drug boats, marking what he described as the first known strike on Venezuelan territory during the campaign.