New images from Venezuela depict the swift and explosive operation carried out by US forces to extract President Nicolas Maduro. The operation, described by President Donald Trump as a “large scale strike,” caused panic among some locals as explosions rocked parts of Caracas. Soldiers descended on the capital city, resulting in black smoke billowing from buildings early in the morning.
While Trump has not directly spoken about the operation apart from his social media posts on Truth Social, he is scheduled to make a public statement from Mar-a-Lago later today. Reports from other top officials in Venezuela have shed more light on the events that unfolded.
The President announced on Truth Social, “The United States of America has successfully executed a significant strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been apprehended and taken out of the country. This operation was conducted in collaboration with US Law Enforcement. Further details will be provided.” Maduro has been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges related to drugs trafficking and firearms.
Venezuela’s Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, criticized the US strikes, alleging that innocent individuals were severely wounded in what he labeled a “terrorist attack.” Videos and images captured by Venezuelans show flashes of orange light emanating from residential areas and military sites, including a destroyed civilian bus and people navigating past smoldering metal containers.
Helicopters were observed over Caracas during the raid, with massive fires and damage reported at military installations such as Fuerte Tiuna. The Venezuelan government has denounced the incident as a terrorist attack on the country, causing chaos and destruction to civilian infrastructure.
The US military planes were spotted departing from a base in Puerto Rico before conducting the raid in Venezuela, resulting in widespread fires and devastation across Caracas. Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, are now facing indictments in New York, as confirmed by Donald Trump following the morning’s operation.