Trump Posts First Image Of Alleged Capture Of Venezuelan President Maduro On US Warship
In a dramatic late-night operation, former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was taken into US custody, with Donald Trump later sharing the first image of his capture. The photo, shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform, shows the now-deposed leader handcuffed and blindfolded aboard a US warship.
“Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima,” Trump wrote, confirming that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been taken into US custody. According to US officials, the couple was seized overnight from their residence on a military base and transferred to the warship, which is now headed to New York. They are expected to face federal charges linked to an alleged “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.
The capture followed what US authorities described as a large-scale strike across Venezuelan territory. Explosions were reported in Caracas and several other locations, triggering widespread panic. Venezuela’s government condemned the operation as an “imperialist attack” and called it an “extremely serious military aggression,” declaring a state of emergency and urging citizens to protest.
Speaking on Fox and Friends Weekend, Trump claimed Maduro and Flores were captured at the presidential palace and flown by helicopter to the warship. He described the palace as a heavily fortified structure, saying Maduro was protected inside a secure steel-reinforced room. US forces, Trump said, were prepared to break in using “massive blowtorches” if needed. “He didn’t get that space closed,” Trump added, noting that troops had rehearsed the raid using a replica of the building.
The operation was carried out under the cover of darkness, with Trump claiming the US shut down “almost all of the lights in Caracas.” The raid reportedly lasted under 30 minutes. While Venezuelan officials said civilians and soldiers were killed, Trump stated that only “a couple of guys were hit” on the US side.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, raising serious questions about escalation and its global fallout.
“Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima,” Trump wrote, confirming that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been taken into US custody. According to US officials, the couple was seized overnight from their residence on a military base and transferred to the warship, which is now headed to New York. They are expected to face federal charges linked to an alleged “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.
The capture followed what US authorities described as a large-scale strike across Venezuelan territory. Explosions were reported in Caracas and several other locations, triggering widespread panic. Venezuela’s government condemned the operation as an “imperialist attack” and called it an “extremely serious military aggression,” declaring a state of emergency and urging citizens to protest.
Speaking on Fox and Friends Weekend, Trump claimed Maduro and Flores were captured at the presidential palace and flown by helicopter to the warship. He described the palace as a heavily fortified structure, saying Maduro was protected inside a secure steel-reinforced room. US forces, Trump said, were prepared to break in using “massive blowtorches” if needed. “He didn’t get that space closed,” Trump added, noting that troops had rehearsed the raid using a replica of the building.
The operation was carried out under the cover of darkness, with Trump claiming the US shut down “almost all of the lights in Caracas.” The raid reportedly lasted under 30 minutes. While Venezuelan officials said civilians and soldiers were killed, Trump stated that only “a couple of guys were hit” on the US side.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the region, raising serious questions about escalation and its global fallout.
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