CARACAS, Venezuela (Kaab TV) — The United States carried out a large-scale military strike against Venezuela early Saturday, triggering explosions across parts of the capital and prompting the government to declare a nationwide state of emergency.
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during the operation and flown out of the country. In a statement posted before dawn on his Truth Social platform, Trump said U.S. forces had conducted a “successful large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader,” adding that Maduro and Flores were now in U.S. custody.
Venezuelan authorities swiftly rejected the claim, and it could not be independently verified. No U.S. government agency has confirmed that Maduro or Flores were detained or removed from Venezuelan territory. The Pentagon and the White House declined to provide details, referring questions to the president.
Residents in Caracas reported hearing multiple explosions as the strikes unfolded, with low-flying aircraft and smoke seen rising over key military sites. Among the reported targets were the Fuerte Tiuna complex, Venezuela’s largest military installation, and the nearby La Carlota airfield. Venezuelan state television aired footage showing smoke and damaged infrastructure, while officials condemned the attack as an act of “imperialist aggression.”
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government did not know the current whereabouts of Maduro or Flores and demanded proof that they were alive. Speaking from an undisclosed location, she accused Washington of attempting to destabilize the country through military force.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said Venezuelan armed forces were deploying nationwide in response to the attacks. The government urged citizens to mobilize against what it described as foreign intervention.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration earlier suspended American commercial flights in and around Venezuelan airspace, citing “ongoing military activity.”
The strikes mark a sharp escalation in already strained relations between Washington and Caracas. Trump has increased pressure on Maduro’s government in recent months, accusing it of corruption, drug trafficking, and illegitimate rule—allegations Venezuela has repeatedly denied.
Several governments condemned the U.S. action, warning it could further destabilize the region, while others called for restraint and independent verification of competing claims.
The situation remains fluid, with limited independent access, conflicting accounts, and growing concern that the confrontation could escalate into a broader regional crisis.