Trump Reports Capture of Venezuela’s President Maduro After US Strikes

Trump’s comments came amid reports of explosions in the capital, Caracas, and other parts of the country, signaling a sharp escalation in the long-running standoff between Washington and the Maduro government. Details of the alleged operation, including its scope and targets, were not immediately clear.

The US president has previously urged Maduro to step aside, arguing that his continued rule lacks legitimacy and has pushed Venezuela deeper into political and economic crisis. Washington has for years imposed sanctions on Caracas and backed efforts to isolate the Maduro government internationally.

Venezuela’s government has repeatedly accused the United States of seeking regime change for economic reasons, particularly control over the country’s vast oil resources. Maduro and his allies have framed US pressure as an “oil grab” and a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.

There was no immediate confirmation from Venezuelan authorities regarding Trump’s claim that Maduro had been captured. Independent verification of the reports of explosions and the scale of any US military involvement was also not immediately available.

The developments, if confirmed, would mark one of the most dramatic confrontations between the United States and Venezuela in decades, with potentially far-reaching consequences for regional stability and global energy markets.