Trump Claims U.S. Captures Venezuelan President Amid Intense Airstrikes: A Shocking Turn in International Relations

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United States President Donald Trump has said the US has captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and removed them from the country, after a wave of airstrikes on the South American nation.

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow, Trump said, adding that there would be a news conference at 11am local time (3am AEDT) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

Venezuelan vice president Delcy Rodriguez has said the Venezuelan government does not know the whereabouts of Maduro or his wife, Cilia Flores.

“We demand immediate proof of life of President Nicolas Maduro and the first combatant Cilia Flores,” Rodriguez said on Saturday morning in an audio clip played on state television.

The Venezuelan government has issued a strong denunciation of what it describes as “military aggression” by the United States, following a series of airstrikes that hit the nation’s capital and other regions. The strikes have intensified tensions, with the government responding firmly.

A woman in a white blouse and jeans runs down a city sidewalk at night with a concerned expression, while a man on a cell phone runs behind her.

Residents of Caracas, Venezuela’s bustling capital, were jolted awake in the early hours of January 3, 2026, by the sound of explosions and the ominous presence of low-flying aircraft. The chaos unfolded across the city, sending pedestrians scrambling for safety. The Associated Press captured the scene, with images of people in distress, highlighting the palpable fear in the streets.

The attacks were not limited to Caracas but also affected the surrounding states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared a national emergency, urging both social and political entities to engage in mobilization efforts. This call to action underscores the severity of the situation and the government’s intent to rally support.

Trump has repeatedly promised land operations in Venezuela. He has not publicly detailed his aims but has privately pressured Maduro to flee the nation, Reuters has reported.

The US has made a major military buildup in the region, including an aircraft carrier, warships and advanced fighter jets stationed in the Caribbean.

Trump has sought a “blockade” of Venezuelan oil, expanded sanctions against the Maduro government and staged more than two dozen strikes on vessels the US alleges were involved in trafficking drugs in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

In a video statement circulated on social media, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir López announced the initiation of a “massive deployment” of the country’s military assets, encompassing land, air, naval, riverine, and missile capabilities. This comprehensive defense strategy reflects Venezuela’s readiness to respond to perceived threats.

The Venezuelan government said in its earlier statement that the goal of the attack was for the US to take possession of the country’s oil and minerals, adding that the US “will not succeed”.

“In strict adherence to Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, Venezuela reserves the right to exercise legitimate self-defence to protect its people, its territory, and its independence,” the statement read.

“We call upon the peoples and governments of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the world to mobilise in active solidarity in the face of this imperial aggression.”

The US has not made such a direct intervention in Latin America since the invasion of Panama in 1989 to depose military leader Manuel Noriega, over similar allegations.