WASHINGTON (AP) — In a swift military operation, the United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transferred them out of the country to face prosecution in the U.S., according to American officials. President Donald Trump said the United States would “run” Venezuela temporarily until a transition of power is completed, though details of how this would be implemented on the ground remain unclear.
The overnight operation plunged Venezuela into uncertainty, with its leadership in flux and the extent of casualties and damage to military infrastructure still emerging. Explosions were reported across the capital, Caracas, early Saturday, with at least seven blasts heard during an attack that lasted less than 30 minutes. Low-flying aircraft were also seen, and the targets appeared to include military installations.
Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández said Maduro and Flores were captured at their residence within the Fort Tiuna military complex outside Caracas. Venezuelan officials confirmed that there were fatalities, though the number of casualties has not been disclosed. The operation followed months of escalating pressure from the Trump administration, which had increased naval deployments near South America and carried out strikes against alleged drug-smuggling operations in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean. U.S. officials also pointed to a recent CIA drone strike on a docking site allegedly linked to drug cartels.
Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, Trump said the U.S. would administer Venezuela “for a period of time,” gesturing toward senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine. He claimed that an American presence was already in place, though there were no visible signs in Caracas that U.S. forces had taken control of government institutions or the military.
Trump also asserted that Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez had been sworn in as president and had spoken with Rubio. However, in a televised address later the same day, Rodríguez did not confirm those claims. She made no mention of a swearing-in ceremony or talks with the U.S. and was identified on state television as vice president. Instead, she demanded the release of Maduro, described him as Venezuela’s legitimate leader and condemned the U.S. action as a violation of international law.
Rodríguez nonetheless signaled openness to dialogue with Washington, saying Venezuela would only accept “respectful relations” following what she described as an attack on the country. In parts of Caracas, armed individuals and members of a civilian militia were seen patrolling neighborhoods traditionally loyal to the ruling party, while other areas remained largely deserted. Some districts were without electricity, though traffic was moving freely.
Trump provided few specifics on what U.S. oversight of Venezuela would entail or whether it would involve additional military deployment. The State Department did not immediately respond to questions about the legal basis for U.S. administration of the country or whether American civilian or military personnel would be stationed there.
The U.S. president repeatedly referenced Venezuela’s oil sector, saying American companies would help repair damaged infrastructure and that revenue from oil sales would be used to offset the costs of administering the country. According to a newly unsealed indictment, Maduro faces multiple charges alongside his wife, his son and three others, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy related to those weapons. U.S. authorities allege that major criminal organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Tren de Aragua gang, worked with elements of the Venezuelan government and funneled profits to senior officials in exchange for protection. Maduro and Flores were reportedly taken first to a U.S. warship before being flown to New York on Saturday afternoon. It remains unclear when they will appear in court or where they will be held pending trial.
