US Military Operation Captures Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

US Military Strike on Venezuela

• ⚡ A large-scale nighttime military operation by US forces resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
• 🎯 The operation was announced by President Trump on Truth Social, stating it was conducted in conjunction with US law enforcement.
• 🇺🇸 Maduro and Flores were flown to the US, where the Venezuelan president is set to stand trial on criminal charges.

Venezuelan Government's Response

• ⚠️ The Venezuelan government denounced the alleged attack as an aggression from the US and a violation of the United Nations charter.
• 💰 They stated the objective was to seize Venezuela's strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, and forcibly break the nation's political independence.
• ✊ The government asserted that the people and their legitimate government remain steadfast in defense of sovereignty.

International Reactions

• 🇨🇴 Colombian President Gustavo Petro claimed his neighboring country was attacked and called for meetings between the Organization of American States and the United Nations.
• 🇨🇺 Cuban officials called the strike criminal activity by the US.

Preceding Tensions and Accusations

• 🗣️ In a video address, Maduro had accused the US of wanting to force a government change and access its oil reserves.
• 🤝 Maduro met with a special envoy for Chinese President Xi Jinping to reaffirm ties with China amid tensions with the US.
• 🚢 The US military has previously carried out drone strikes off the Venezuelan coast on suspected drug smuggling boats.
• ⚖️ Maduro, who has held power for 13 years, has been charged with narco-terrorism by the US.