CARACAS / MAR-A-LAGO — In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, the United States military launched a series of targeted strikes across the Venezuelan capital early Saturday morning. President Donald Trump later confirmed that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during the operation and have been removed from the country.
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The operation, reportedly codenamed “Southern Spear,” began around 2:00 a.m. local time. Multiple explosions rocked Caracas as U.S. airstrikes hit key strategic sites, including:
- Fuerte Tiuna: The primary military headquarters in the capital.
- La Carlota Airbase: A central hub for Venezuelan air operations.
Following the strikes, specialized U.S. ground forces—identified by sources as Delta Force—successfully extracted Maduro and Flores. The White House confirmed the pair has been flown to an undisclosed location to face legal proceedings.
Legal and Political Justification
The U.S. Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, stated that the capture was the result of long-standing indictments for narcoterrorism.
While the administration has framed the move as a necessary action against a “criminal regime,” the operation has sparked a firestorm of debate in Washington. Several members of Congress have raised concerns regarding the War Powers Act, noting that the strike occurred without a formal declaration of war or specific congressional approval.
Chaos in Caracas
The situation on the ground remains volatile:
- Power Vacuum: Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has called the capture an “abduction” and is demanding proof of life.
- Military Response: Defense Minister Padrino López has denounced the “imperialist aggression,” though it remains unclear how much of the Venezuelan military continues to follow the central command.
- Regional Borders: Neighbors like Colombia have heightened military readiness, fearing a total collapse of order within Venezuela.
