In a dramatic escalation of international tensions early Saturday, the United States launched a large-scale military strike on Venezuela, resulting in the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, President Donald Trump announced. The operation marks one of the most significant U.S. military interventions in the Americas in decades and has drawn global attention from governments, international organizations, and news agencies.

In a post on his social media platform, 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.”

Trump said the United States will temporarily govern Venezuela and emphasized the goal of guiding the country toward a “safe, proper and judicious transition,” signaling a prolonged U.S. role in the nation’s political future. The U.S. leader also indicated that American involvement could extend to Venezuela’s oil and economic sectors as part of stabilization and rebuilding efforts.

According to U.S. statements, the military strike involved coordinated air and ground actions across multiple sites in Caracas and surrounding regions, with explosions reported near key military installations. Venezuelan authorities condemned the operation as a grave act of aggression against a sovereign nation. While the Trump administration insists there were no U.S. fatalities, some American service members were reportedly injured when a helicopter was hit during the mission.

U.S. officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, have announced that Maduro and Flores will face prosecution in U.S. courts for longstanding charges related to drug trafficking and weapons violations, marking a significant step in U.S. legal and diplomatic strategy in Latin America.

The military action has triggered widespread international criticism. Brazil’s leadership called the strikes an “unacceptable line” crossed by the United States, while other nations expressed concern about a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and international law. The United Nations also issued a warning, stating that the escalation sets a dangerous precedent for regional stability and global security.

The Venezuelan government has described the U.S. attack as an act of “imperialist aggression” and demanded proof of life for Maduro and his wife. Key military sites in Caracas reportedly lost power amid explosions and smoke, leaving many citizens fearful about immediate security conditions.

With Maduro in U.S. custody and Venezuelan leadership in flux, international attention now turns to how the interim governance will function and what diplomatic repercussions will follow. President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. will run Venezuela until a stable political transition raises complex legal and geopolitical questions that are expected to dominate headlines and search results in the coming days.