In an unprecedented military intervention, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been apprehended and transported out of Venezuela following targeted strikes by US forces on Caracas. US President Donald Trump announced the operation via social media, scheduling a detailed press conference for 11 a.m. ET to address the developments.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi disclosed that Maduro faces formal indictment in New York federal court on multiple charges related to narcotics trafficking and weapons offenses. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Republican legislators that Maduro would undergo judicial proceedings in the United States, indicating that no additional military engagements were anticipated.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez reported that both Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores remain missing following the attacks. Rodríguez vehemently denounced the US operation, claiming it resulted in numerous casualties among government officials, military personnel, and civilians nationwide.
The international community has responded with heightened security measures. China’s Foreign Ministry and Embassy in Venezuela issued urgent travel advisories, instructing citizens to avoid non-essential movement and prepare emergency contingency plans. Similarly, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office implemented comprehensive shelter-in-place protocols for British nationals while Prime Minister Keir Starmer explicitly denied UK involvement in the operation. Starmer emphasized adherence to international legal standards and announced intentions to directly consult with President Trump regarding the factual basis for the military action.