Venezuela under Attack by US Military, Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, has captured, Trump Claims
U.S. Military Strikes inside Venezuela
Early Saturday, multiple explosions rocked Caracas and other parts of northern Venezuela, with reports of low-flying aircraft, smoke rising from military sites, power outages and widespread panic among residentsThe Venezuelan government has condemned the events as a “military aggression” by the United States and claimed strikes hit both civilian and military locations in Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. President Nicolás Maduro declared a national emergency, rejected what Caracas calls “military aggression,” and urged Venezuela’s institutions and people to mobilize in defense of sovereignty. At least seven powerful explosions were reported, triggering sirens and widespread fear across the capital.
U.S. Response and Claims
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and flown out of the country following the large-scale strikes. Official announcements from the Pentagon or U.S. Southern Command were not widely detailed at press time; several departments referred questions back to the White HouseU.S. officials, including military sources cited by some news outlets, confirmed strikes against Venezuelan territory in the early hours and acknowledged military action.
Venezuela’s Reaction
- Maduro’s Government described the attacks as a severe violation of international law and a blatant attempt to undermine Venezuelan sovereignty
- Caracas has mobilized emergency measures and declared a state of emergency while urging political and social sectors to unite. Maduro earlier expressed readiness to negotiate with the U.S. — particularly on narcotics issues — even as tensions mounted.
Context: Months of Escalating Tensions
This attack did not come out of nowhere. Over the past months in 2025, tensions have dramatically escalated:
U.S. Campaign Against Drug Trafficking and Caracas
- President Trump’s administration launched a broad military campaign targeting Venezuelan cartels and alleged narco-terrorist groups at sea, using U.S. warships, aircraft and drone strikes
- Hundreds of people were reportedly killed in S. strikes on vessels in Caribbean and Pacific waters as part of this broader campaign. Earlier covert CIA drone strike hit a Venezuelan port facility believed used by criminal groups — marking a significant escalation
Venezuelan Defense and National Mobilization
- In response to U.S. pressure, Caracas warned of mobilizing its military and bolstering defenses, including invoking a “republic in arms” if attacked. Venezuela also accused the U.S. of intelligence flights and military provocations in the Caribbean in previous months.
International Reaction and Geopolitics
- Regional players such as Colombia lodged diplomatic rebukes against the U.S., calling the actions “military aggression
- Global powers like Russia and China earlier condemned the U.S. military presence near Venezuela as a threat to regional peace and stability
- The United Nations previously urged restraint as U.S. strikes in the Caribbean raised tensions with Caracas.
