The U.S. carried out a significant operation in Venezuela on Saturday, seizing the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. President Donald Trump confirmed the capture on his Truth Social platform, stating that they were transported out of Venezuela with the cooperation of U.S. Law Enforcement.
According to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Maduro and his wife have been indicted in New York. Venezuelans are eagerly awaiting updates on the situation, while world leaders are monitoring the aftermath through embassies. This marks the most extensive U.S. intervention in Latin America since 1989.
Maduro, born into a working-class family on November 23, 1962, started his career as a bus driver. He rose to prominence by supporting Hugo Chávez’s leftist ideals after Chávez’s failed coup in the 1990s. Maduro entered politics and eventually succeeded Chávez as president in 2013.
During Maduro’s presidency, Venezuela experienced a severe economic downturn marked by hyperinflation and shortages. His tenure was marred by allegations of electoral fraud, food scarcities, and human rights violations, leading to mass emigration. Maduro’s controversial re-election in 2024 was widely condemned as fraudulent.
The U.S. and other nations imposed harsh sanctions on Maduro, accusing him of corruption. Despite Maduro’s denial of the charges and his claims that Trump sought Venezuela’s oil, he now faces criminal charges in the U.S. The legality of the U.S. operation is being questioned by politicians worldwide.
Utah Senator Mike Lee raised concerns about the attack’s constitutionality, emphasizing the absence of a formal declaration of war or authorization for military force. The global reaction to Maduro’s capture highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.