DHAKA: US President Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that the United States had carried out a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela and that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country.
Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the operation took place shortly after explosions were reported in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump wrote.
As of now, there has been no independent confirmation from Venezuelan authorities regarding Maduro’s alleged capture or removal from the country. Maduro, a leftist leader, has been in power since 2013.
Venezuela’s government sharply condemned Washington’s actions, describing them as an “extremely serious military aggression.” Officials in Caracas said US forces targeted both civilian and military facilities in the capital. A nationwide state of emergency has reportedly been imposed following the strikes.
The developments come after months of escalating political, economic, and military pressure on Venezuela, which Caracas claims is part of a broader campaign by the United States to destabilize the country.
Russia Condemns US Actions
Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement condemning what it described as an act of armed aggression by the United States against Venezuela.
“Earlier today, the United States carried out an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This has prompted deep concern and condemnation,” the ministry said.
The statement rejected the justifications offered for the alleged attack, arguing that ideological hostility had overridden pragmatic diplomacy and respect for international norms.
Moscow stressed the importance of preventing further escalation and urged all parties to seek a resolution through dialogue.
“Under the current circumstances, it is crucial, above all, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue,” the ministry said, adding that Russia is ready to support dialogue-based solutions.
The Foreign Ministry also emphasized that Venezuela must be allowed to determine its own future without external interference.
“Latin America must remain a zone of peace… Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to independently determine its own fate, free from any destructive — let alone military — interference from outside,” the statement said.
Russia reaffirmed its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and its support for the country’s Bolivarian leadership, stating that the Russian Embassy in Caracas remains operational and in constant contact with Venezuelan authorities.
While Trump has reiterated that US forces conducted large-scale strikes and captured Venezuela’s leader, the situation on the ground remains unclear. Independent verification of the claims has not yet emerged, and international reactions continue to unfold amid fears of wider regional and global repercussions.
