Venezuelan president receives four major charges after Trump announced ‘capture’ following military strikes
Reports erupted overnight claiming that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured by U.S. forces after apparent military strikes in Caracas. Social media circulated unverified videos, blending fact, statement, and speculation in real time.
Adding to the confusion, former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, stating the U.S. had conducted a large operation to capture Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, removing them from Venezuela. He promised more details but independent confirmation was scarce.
Concurrently, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Maduro’s indictment in New York on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation. She portrayed it as a law-enforcement achievement, though did not specify charges against Flores.
Bondi praised the operation against alleged international drug traffickers, framing it as a criminal justice matter. However, she omitted key details about the capture itself, deepening the uncertainty.
In Caracas, the response was tense. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated the government lacked verified information on Maduro’s whereabouts and demanded proof of life for both him and Flores.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López called the reports the gravest aggression Venezuela has ever faced. He urged national unity and placed the armed forces on high alert, signaling readiness for potential escalation.
The situation remains defined by conflicting claims more than verified facts. Regardless of the outcome, these reports have sharply heightened regional tensions, demonstrating how swiftly information and perception can fuel a geopolitical crisis.
