Trump claims Venezuelan president captured; legal case to be filed against Nicolás Maduro and his wife
Following explosions in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, early Saturday morning, US President Donald Trump claimed that the attacks were carried out by the US and that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been "captured."
The US Attorney General also announced that a legal case would be filed against Maduro and his wife in the Southern District of New York.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded proof that the president was alive. She stated that there was no information about the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife.
Venezuela's Defense Minister announced the immediate deployment of military forces throughout the country.
Russia and Colombia condemned the attacks. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that "the armed attack by the US against Venezuela is a matter of grave concern and should be condemned."
Donald Trump makes announcement, Venezuela demands proof
US Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced that Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, would face legal proceedings in the Southern District of New York.
Pamela Bondi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter): "Nicolás Maduro has been charged with conspiring to commit narco-terrorism against the United States, conspiring to import cocaine, and possessing and conspiring to possess machine guns and destructive devices."
"He will soon face American justice in American courts on American soil."
However, she did not specify the charges against Maduro's wife. Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, "The United States has successfully launched a massive attack against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been captured along with his wife and taken out of the country."
Trump wrote, "This operation was conducted in conjunction with US law enforcement. More information will be released soon. There will be a press conference at Mar-a-Lago at 11 AM this morning."
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking and spreading crime in the United States.
US officials have told BBC's partner CBS News that President Maduro and his wife were captured by the US Army's Delta Force.
Delta Force is the US Army's premier counter-terrorism unit.
What has Venezuela said?
Image caption, López (right) has been Defense Minister during Maduro's tenure since 2014
Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said that the government has no information about President Maduro or First Lady Cilia Flores.
She further stated that the government has demanded "immediate proof" that both are alive.
Many details about the attacks in Venezuela remain unclear.
For example, how much damage was done to military infrastructure and how many people were killed or injured?
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said that the government is gathering information about the dead and wounded. He alleged that the attacks took place in residential areas where civilians live.
He also said that Venezuela would "resist" the presence of foreign troops.
In addition, the Venezuelan Defense Minister announced the immediate deployment of military forces throughout the country. In a video message delivered in Spanish, Vladimir Padrino López called on the public to unite and resist what he described as the "biggest attack" ever against Venezuela. He said that Venezuela was following "Maduro's orders" to deploy all armed forces.
"They have attacked us, but they will not be able to defeat us," the defense minister said.
According to eyewitnesses, the La Carlota military airport in the heart of the city and the main military base, Fuerte Tiuna, were also affected. Videos of explosions at both locations have surfaced.
This development comes after weeks of mounting pressure from the Trump administration on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The US president has accused the Venezuelan president of involvement in drug trafficking and criminal activities in the United States.
