By Mbalire Brian Kisuule ll
(Your Daily Friend)
The United States has announced the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and members of his family following a major overnight military operation that triggered explosions and air activity across Caracas and several other parts of the country, resulting in the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro flown out of his country.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been “captured and flown out of the country” after what Washington described as “large-scale strikes” on Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday. This situation led to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro flown out of his country under intense military pressures.
The operation plunged Venezuela into a national emergency. The government in Caracas condemned the action as blatant military aggression and a serious violation of international law. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López confirmed the deployment of armed forces nationwide and vowed to resist what he described as the most severe attack Venezuela has ever faced, reacting to the news of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro flown out of his country.
Venezuelan authorities urged citizens to mobilize against what they termed an “imperialist assault,” accusing the United States of attempting to seize control of the country’s vast oil and mineral resources.
According to CBS News, citing U.S. officials, the mission to capture Maduro was carried out by the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force. The strikes reportedly hit major military and strategic targets, including Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota airbase in Caracas, as well as the port of La Guaira.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) suspending American commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace due to ongoing military activity.
International reaction was swift and critical. Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council, saying Caracas was being bombed. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the operation as a criminal U.S. attack and an act of state terrorism, while Iran’s foreign ministry also strongly condemned the strikes, with concerns raised about the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro flown out of his country.
The developments follow months of increased U.S. military presence in the region, including the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and several warships. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading a drug trafficking network and running a “narco-state,” allegations he has consistently denied, insisting Washington’s true aim is regime change to gain control of Venezuela’s natural resources.
