Live updates: US strikes Venezuela; Trump says Maduro captured

WASHINGTON, DC – America carried out a large-scale assault in Venezuela early Saturday and President Donald Trump stated the nation’s chief, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown in another country, based on the Related Press.

This is the newest:

Maduro and his spouse are charged

8:43 a.m. ET: US Lawyer Common Pam Bondi says Maduro and his spouse will face legal fees following an indictment in New York.

Bondi vowed in a social media submit that the couple will “quickly face the total wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

Maduro was indicted in New York in 2020, nevertheless it was not beforehand recognized that his spouse had been.

FILE – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) and his spouse Cilia Flores wave to supporters on January 15, 2017. (Photograph credit score must be JUAN BARRETO/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)

Trump’s announcement

What we all know:

Hours after the assault, President Donald Trump introduced on social media that US forces had captured Maduro and his spouse and flown them out of Venezuela.

“Maduro was captured alongside together with his spouse and flown in another country,” Trump wrote, including that the operation was performed in coordination with U.S. legislation enforcement. Trump stated the assaults had been carried out “efficiently” and scheduled a information convention for afterward Saturday.

President Donald Trump claims in his Fact Profile that the US is ‘capturing’ Venezuelan President Maduro and his spouse in a ‘main strike’ (Photograph by Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto by way of Getty Photographs)

See also  Fact check: Is Donald Trump keeping his promises to Michigan voters?

Standing of Maduro unclear

What we do not know:

As of Saturday morning, it was not but recognized whether or not there had been any deaths or accidents, whether or not further navy actions had been deliberate, or who was in charge of the Venezuelan authorities. The White Home has not but responded to questions on the place Maduro and his spouse are being taken.

Fireplace at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest navy complicated, is seen from a distance after a collection of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026. (Photograph by AFP by way of Getty Photographs)

The authorized authority for the strike — and whether or not Trump consulted Congress beforehand — had been additionally not instantly recognized, based on AP.

The Armed Providers Committees in Congress had not been formally notified, an individual acquainted with the matter informed the AP. Lawmakers from each events have raised issues in latest months about U.S. navy actions associated to drug interdiction close to Venezuela.

What they are saying:

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio had briefed him, saying Maduro had been arrested by U.S. personnel to face trial in the US.

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated she didn’t know their location and demanded proof of life.

“We have no idea the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Girl Cilia Flores,” Rodríguez stated. “We demand proof of life.”

Underneath Venezuelan legislation, Rodríguez would take energy if Maduro had been ousted, though there was no affirmation.

Response in Venezuela

Giant picture:

Maduro’s authorities accused the US of attacking civilian and navy installations and known as the strike an “imperialist assault.” Officers known as on supporters to take to the streets.

In some neighborhoods lengthy thought of strongholds of the ruling celebration, armed people and civilian militia members gathered holding posters of Maduro. In different components of the town, streets remained largely empty hours after the strike.

The federal government has declared a state of exterior unrest, a type of emergency that enables authorities to droop sure rights and develop the position of the armed forces.

Smoke is seen over buildings after explosions and low-flying plane had been heard in Caracas, Venezuela on January 3, 2026. (Photograph by Jesus Vargas/Getty Photographs)

Escalating strain on Maduro

The backstory:

The strike adopted months of escalating strain from the Trump administration on Maduro’s authorities, together with a buildup of U.S. troops close to South America and assaults on boats accused of drug smuggling.

Maduro was indicted on US fees in March 2020 related to narco-terrorism.

Trump has stated the US is engaged in an “armed battle” with drug cartels and has justified latest navy actions as essential to cease drug trafficking.

Worldwide response

Worldwide reactions shortly arose.

The opposite facet:

Cuba condemned the assault, calling it a legal assault, whereas Iran’s Overseas Ministry additionally denounced the operation.

The Argentine president praised Trump’s announcement and celebrated what he described as a blow in opposition to authoritarian rule.

What’s subsequent:

The scenario stays fluid as governments all over the world monitor developments. The FAA warned U.S. pilots that the airspace over Venezuela and Curacao was off-limits resulting from safety dangers associated to navy actions.