Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro attends a gathering in support of his government in Caracas, Venezuela February 7, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY/File Photo
(CARACAS, Venezuela / WASHINGTON) — The United States launched a large-scale military operation in Venezuela early Saturday, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and flying them out of the country, according to statements from U.S. President Donald Trump.
U.S. officials say that the operation to capture Maduro was carried out by Delta Force, the military’s elite counterterrorism unit. Venezuela’s government has not confirmed Maduro’s capture and says his whereabouts remain unknown.
In a fiery on-air exchange with CNN’s Jake Tapper, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller made no attempt to soften the administration’s actions in Venezuela, bluntly confirming that U.S. forces seized dictator Nicolás Maduro during a weekend operation ordered by President Donald Trump.
“Damn straight we did,” Miller shot back when pressed, defending the mission as a necessary show of American strength and a warning to communist regimes exporting drugs, violence, and chaos into the United States – a moment that underscored the administration’s unapologetic return to hard power on the world stage.
Press Conference – Saturday. 11AM. Mar-A-Lago.
Donald Trump took the stage at Mar-a-Lago Saturday morning, declaring that “the United States retains all military options until the United States is satisfied,” as he accused Nicolás Maduro of being “the kingpin of a vast criminal network” who oversaw the cartel known as Cartel de los Soles.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that message in a brief statement, saying, “Welcome to 2026 – under President Trump, America is back.”
Trump also issued a warning aimed at Colombia, saying that President Gustavo Petro “Does have to watch his a**,” a remark that underscored the administration’s confrontational tone as tensions continue to ripple across the region.
Reaction’s to the Operation
In a statement posted on X, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York, declaring that they “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.” Bondi said Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and multiple weapons offenses involving machine guns and destructive devices allegedly committed against the United States.
In her statement, Bondi thanked Donald Trump “for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American people” and praised U.S. military forces for carrying out what she called a “highly successful mission” to capture the two “alleged international narco traffickers.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said U.S. forces carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” in coordination with U.S. law enforcement, describing the operation as a success. He said more details would be released at a news conference scheduled for later Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Additional senior U.S. officials weighed in following the operation. Vice President JD Vance praised the military action in a post on X, writing, “Kudos to our brave special operators who pulled off a truly impressive operation.” House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, adding that the nation would hear directly from Donald Trump in a scheduled address.
Johnson called the strikes a “decisive and justified operation” and accused Nicolás Maduro of fueling drug trafficking and cartel violence that he said has cost American lives, arguing that the action demonstrated “what accountability looks like.” He added that congressional briefings are being arranged as lawmakers return to Washington next week and thanked U.S. service members for carrying out what he described as a precise and successful mission.
Explosions Rock Caracas
Multiple explosions were reported overnight in Caracas and nearby states, with eyewitnesses describing fireballs, heavy smoke and the sound of aircraft overhead. Venezuelan officials said military installations, including La Carlota airbase and the Fuerte Tiuna military complex, were among the sites hit.
The Venezuelan government declared a national state of emergency and accused the United States of carrying out what it called “military aggression,” alleging that some strikes hit civilian areas. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said all armed forces had been ordered to deploy nationwide.
Maduro’s Fate Unclear
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government was demanding “immediate proof of life” for Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. She said authorities did not know where they were being held.
U.S. officials have not disclosed Maduro’s location but said he is expected to stand trial in the United States on criminal charges. Maduro was indicted in 2020 on accusations including drug trafficking and corruption, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
Republican Senator Mike Lee said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him the United States does not anticipate further military action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in U.S. custody.
Region on Edge
The operation follows months of escalating tension between Washington and Caracas and marks the largest U.S. military buildup in the Americas since the Cold War, according to analysts. U.S. forces have increased naval, air and special-operations deployments in the Caribbean in recent weeks, citing drug-smuggling and sanctions enforcement.
International reaction has been swift and divided. Leaders in parts of Latin America warned of regional destabilization, while some U.S. allies called for restraint and respect for international law.
What happens next inside Venezuela remains unclear. Analysts say the country’s military leadership and security forces had remained loyal to Maduro, raising questions about who will wield power if his removal is confirmed.
Trump has said he will address the legality of the operation and future U.S. actions at his scheduled news conference later Saturday.
