US launches large-scale strike on Venezuela, Trump claims

The US launches a large-scale strike on Venezuela, President Donald Trump claimed on social media, saying President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured. The announcement has triggered global concern over regional stability.

Washington, United States

Introduction

The US launches a large-scale strike on Venezuela, according to President Donald Trump, who claimed that American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic operation. The statement, released early Monday, immediately sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and raised urgent questions about regional security, international law, and the potential for escalation in Latin America.

What Happened

President Trump said the United States had carried out what he described as a “large-scale strike” targeting Venezuela’s leadership. In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured during the operation and removed from the country.

Trump stated that US law enforcement agencies coordinated the operation and promised additional details at a scheduled news conference later in the day at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

The claim marks one of the most dramatic announcements ever made by a US president regarding Venezuela, a country already strained by years of political turmoil, economic collapse, and international sanctions.

No immediate confirmation came from the Pentagon, the US State Department, or Venezuelan officials at the time of the announcement.

Where It Happened

According to Trump’s statement, the operation targeted Venezuela, though he did not specify the exact locations involved. Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, has long been the political center of President Maduro’s administration and the focal point of previous opposition protests and international pressure.

The alleged transfer of Maduro “out of the country” suggests that the operation may have involved air assets and coordination beyond Venezuelan borders, though no official routes or partner nations were identified.

Official Confirmation

As of publication, no independent confirmation has verified Trump’s claims that the US launches a large-scale strike on Venezuela or that President Maduro was captured.

The White House has not issued a formal statement. The Pentagon and US Southern Command have also remained silent, fueling uncertainty over whether the announcement reflects an ongoing military action, a law enforcement operation, or a political declaration awaiting substantiation.

Venezuelan state media continued regular programming, and no immediate emergency address from Maduro’s government was broadcast.

Trump said a formal news conference would take place at 11:00 a.m. local time, where further details are expected.

Why It Matters

If confirmed, the claim that the US launches a large-scale strike on Venezuela would represent a historic escalation in US–Latin America relations.

Such an action could:

• Trigger regional instability across South America
• Prompt emergency sessions at the United Nations
• Raise serious questions about sovereignty and international law
• Spark retaliatory actions from Maduro allies, including Russia, China, and Iran

Venezuela holds some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Any disruption to its political leadership could have ripple effects across global energy markets already strained by conflict and supply uncertainties.

For the US, the move would mark a decisive break from years of sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and support for opposition movements rather than direct military or enforcement action.

What Happens Next

All eyes now turn to the promised news conference, which could clarify whether the US launches a large-scale strike on Venezuela in a military sense or whether Trump’s language refers to a different form of intervention.

Key developments to watch include:

• Official confirmation from US defense and intelligence agencies
• A response from Venezuela’s government or military
• Emergency diplomatic reactions from Latin American nations
• Statements from the United Nations, European Union, and OAS

Financial markets and oil prices may react sharply once details emerge, especially if sanctions or shipping routes face disruption.

Security analysts warn that even unverified claims can heighten tensions and provoke miscalculations if not quickly clarified.

Conclusion

The claim that the US launches a large-scale strike on Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro stands as one of the most extraordinary geopolitical announcements in recent years. Until independent confirmation emerges, the world remains in a state of cautious uncertainty.

What follows—clarification, escalation, or de-escalation—will shape not only US–Venezuela relations but also the broader balance of power in the Western Hemisphere. The next official statements will be critical in determining whether this moment becomes a turning point or a political flashpoint with far-reaching consequences.

US launches strike on Venezuela, Venezuela crisis, Trump statement, Nicolas Maduro, US foreign policy, Latin America tensions, Breaking news