This information was disseminated through X and originated from an official announcement made by the US president.
CNN reports that following a massive US strike on Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, President Nicolas Maduro was apprehended and taken out of the country.
Additionally, it said that US President Donald Trump has declared that “further details are to follow.”
An earlier CNN crew reported that certain parts of Caracas were without electricity after seeing multiple explosions. It stated that the first explosion was detected on Saturday at around 1.50 AM local time (0.50 AM ET).
However, what has been going on in Venezuela, and why has Donald Trump played a key role in it?
US Accusations Against Maduro
The US has been accusing Nicolás Maduro of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism for years, connecting him to criminal networks that ship illicit substances, particularly fentanyl, into the US. This was one of the first stories to surface regarding this scenario.
Corruption and repression: alleging that his government is illegitimate, that elections were unfairly manipulated, and that his opponents have been imprisoned; endangering regional stability and US security by designating Venezuelan criminal gangs as foreign terrorist organisations.
Due to these accusations, Maduro was previously charged with criminal crimes by the US Justice Department, and the Trump administration offered a reward of up to $50 million for information that led to his arrest.
Additionally, the military action was conducted to apprehend Maduro as part of a larger anti-drug and anti-cartel campaign, according to Trump and US officials.
According to reports, Delta Force and other elite US soldiers carried out the capture.
According to reports, this is a part of a larger US pressure campaign that includes naval deployments, strikes on drug-smuggling boats, and sanctions on Venezuelan oil companies. US authorities have justified these actions as being required to stop drug trafficking.
US Military Operations and Strikes
According to Trump, on December 29, 2025, the US launched military strikes within Venezuela, including in and around Caracas and other key areas.
There were reports of aircraft and explosions over the capital of Venezuela. According to AP News, these acts were a part of a dramatic escalation between the government of Venezuela and the United States.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken prisoner by US forces and flown out of the country as part of the operation, according to statements made by the US administration, especially by former US President Donald Trump.
Venezuela’s Reaction
The US measures have been denounced by the Venezuelan administration as an assault on its sovereignty and a “criminal military aggression”.
They have organised followers, proclaimed a state of emergency, and called on people to oppose what they see as an imperialist attack.
Uncertainty and Tensions
Due to the lack of independent verification, there are also conflicting stories and misunderstandings over the situation on the ground, including who is in charge in Venezuela and if Maduro has been deposed.
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