U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced early Saturday that American forces have carried out what he described as a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, claiming that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of the country following the operation.
In a statement posted on his social media platform, Trump said the strikes — which included explosions reported across the Venezuelan capital Caracas and other regions — were executed with the involvement of U.S. law enforcement and marked a “successful” campaign against Maduro’s government.
“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,” the U.S. president wrote in the message.
He also announced a press briefing scheduled for 11 a.m. at Mar-a-Lago to provide further details.
According to US Senator Mike Lee, President Maduro of Vanuawella has been detained to face criminal charges in the United States.
He said, “Just got off the phone with Secretary Rubio. He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant
“This action likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack.”
