President Donald Trump says the US has carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and “captured its leader, President Nicolas Maduro” President Nicolas Maduro”and his wife.
Here’s the statement from Truth Social in full:
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.
“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio anticipates no further action against Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, says a Republican senator.
Also Read: Venezuela on edge as American ‘ghost ship’ sails
Mike Lee confirmed Venezuelan President Maduro’s arrest following a phone call with Rubio.
“He [Rubio] anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in US custody,” says Senator Lee.
Lee adds that the US strikes were “deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant”.
Earlier, Lee said in a post on X: “I look forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force.”
Venezuela’s government demands “immediate proof of life” for Maduro and his wife
Earlier, Venezuela announced a state of national emergency and said it rejects and denounces “military aggression”
“My heart was pumping and legs were shaking,” an eyewitness in Caracas tells the BBC as explosions rocked the city
The closest comparison would be the capture of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, also by special forces, in 1989.
Both men had recently claimed victory in disputed elections, both had been accused by the US of involvement in drug trafficking and both had been preceded by significant US military build-up.
But Noriega’s capture followed a short, decisive, war between the two countries, in which Panamanian forces were quickly overwhelmed.
He had taken refuge in the Vatican embassy, where he remained for 11 days.
Eventually Noriega was persuaded to leave after the use of “psychological warfare” – specifically the constant playing of loud rock music, including The Clash, Van Halen and U2.
He was taken back to the US, where he was convicted of drugs offences.
Details of the operation to capture Nicholas Maduro are yet to emerge, but it seems to have been an operation even more ambitious in its scope – succeeding in extracting the President and his wife without the use of conventional ground forces.
His fate is unclear, but one would imagine it will end in a US prison.
BBC
