Washington, Jan 3: US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by US forces following what he described as “large-scale airstrikes” on Caracas, a claim that has not been independently confirmed.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States had “successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader,” adding that Maduro and Flores were taken into custody and flown to the United States in an operation conducted alongside US law enforcement agencies. Trump said further details would be provided at a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. (US time) at Mar-a-Lago.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on multiple charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons-related offences involving machine guns and destructive devices. Bondi said the two would face trial in US courts and praised the US military for what she described as a successful operation.

US officials quoted by CBS News said Maduro was captured early Saturday by members of Delta Force, the US military’s elite special mission unit. No further operational details were disclosed publicly. There was no independent confirmation of Maduro’s capture, and Venezuelan authorities did not acknowledge Trump’s claim.

Explosions reported in Caracas
The claims came hours after multiple explosions were reported in Caracas. Residents described low-flying aircraft and blasts across several neighbourhoods in the early hours of Saturday. Videos circulating on social media showed fires and smoke rising from parts of the city, while power outages were reported near a major military base in the south of the capital. Casualties were not immediately known.

Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced the deployment of military forces nationwide in a video posted to social media, calling the US action “the worst aggression” Venezuela has faced. He urged calm, unity and resistance but did not address reports that Maduro had been captured.

Government response and emergency measures
Venezuela’s government accused Washington of attacking civilian and military facilities and called the operation an “imperialist attack.” In a statement, authorities urged supporters to mobilise and said Maduro had ordered the implementation of national defence plans and declared a “state of external disturbance,” allowing expanded military authority and the suspension of certain rights.

US pressure campaign
Saturday’s developments followed months of intensified US pressure on Maduro, whom Washington has accused of running a “narco-state.” Trump has repeatedly warned of military action and said earlier this week it would be “smart” for Maduro to step aside. The US administration has rejected the results of Venezuela’s last presidential election, which Maduro insists was legitimate.

Also Read: Twin Accidents at Bhubaneswar's Rupali Square Put 'Ama Bus' Operations Under Scrutiny

The United States has carried out multiple strikes in recent months targeting suspected narcotics operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, actions the Trump administration says are aimed at curbing drug trafficking.