President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has “captured” Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, reportedly flying them out of the country following “large-scale” strikes.
Earlier, Venezuela’s government accused the U.S. of attacking civilian and military installations across multiple states, rejecting what it described as “military aggression” by Washington. President Maduro’s administration had declared a national emergency in response to the series of attacks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to Republican Senator Mike Lee, anticipates no further action against Venezuela following Maduro’s capture.
“Rubio anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in U.S. custody,” Lee said, confirming that the Venezuelan president would face criminal charges in the United States.
Lee added that the U.S. strikes were “deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant.” Earlier, he posted on X: “I look forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorisation for the use of military force.”
Observers have compared the operation to the 1989 capture of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega by U.S. special forces. Both leaders had recently claimed victory in disputed elections, faced U.S. accusations of drug trafficking, and were preceded by significant U.S. military buildup. However, Noriega’s capture followed a short, decisive war, during which Panamanian forces were quickly overwhelmed. He had taken refuge in the Vatican embassy for 11 days before being persuaded to leave through the use of psychological tactics, including the constant playing of loud rock music. Noriega was subsequently taken to the United States, where he was convicted on drug charges.
Details of the operation to capture Maduro are still emerging, but initial reports suggest it was an even more ambitious undertaking, successfully extracting the president and his wife without conventional ground forces. Analysts say Maduro’s fate will likely involve imprisonment in the United States, although official confirmation is pending. (Agencies)
