US President Donald Trump has celebrated the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, describing the operation as “brilliant” during a telephone interview with the New York Times. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump praised the planning and execution of the mission, which he said involved “great troops and great people.” He indicated that further details would be provided at a press conference later.
The operation, which involved a pre-dawn assault on Caracas and surrounding areas, saw Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, flown out of Venezuela. Trump confirmed the capture in a post on Truth Social, stating that the US had conducted “a large scale strike” on the country. The Venezuelan government, however, accused the US of launching attacks against civilian and military targets, with explosions rocking the capital early on Saturday.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino López, condemned the “deplorable” and “criminal” invasion, calling it “the greatest outrage the country has ever suffered.” He urged citizens and soldiers to unite in resistance, declaring, “They have attacked us but they will not vanquish us … we will form an indestructible wall of resistance.” The defence chief also reported that authorities were still assessing civilian casualties from helicopter attacks in urban areas.
The international community has reacted swiftly. Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council, while Iran condemned the “flagrant violation of national sovereignty.” Spain confirmed an air attack had taken place, with its foreign minister in contact with the ambassador in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has urged citizens to mobilise against what it termed “imperialist aggression” and called on the world to denounce the violation of international law.
