On Saturday, the United States initiated a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela resulting in the apprehension of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from the oil-rich nation. President Donald Trump confirmed their capture and stated they were transported out of Venezuela. The operation was conducted in collaboration with U.S. Law Enforcement, according to Trump’s announcement on his Truth Social platform.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed that Maduro and his wife have been indicted in New York, as shared on the social media platform X. Venezuelans are anxiously awaiting the unfolding events following the attack, which represents the most significant U.S. intervention in Latin America since 1989. Several world leaders are in contact with their embassies to monitor the situation.
Maduro’s background includes humble beginnings as the son of a trade union leader, born into a working-class family on November 23, 1962. He transitioned from being a bus driver in the early 1990s to supporting Hugo Chávez’s left-wing agenda after Chávez’s failed coup against the Venezuelan government. Maduro went on to secure a legislative seat and later succeeded Chávez as president after his death in 2013.
During Maduro’s presidency, Venezuela experienced a severe economic collapse marked by hyperinflation and persistent shortages. His tenure was marred by allegations of election fraud, food scarcity, and human rights violations, including crackdowns on protests. Many Venezuelans fled the country, seeking refuge in nations like Canada.
In January 2025, Maduro was sworn in for a third term following a controversial 2024 election denounced by international observers and the opposition as fraudulent. His re-election was supported by Russia, Turkey, and China, while dissenters protesting the results were reportedly detained.
Reports of systematic human rights abuses and crimes against humanity by the Bolivarian National Guard in Venezuela have drawn international attention. The Maduro government’s repressive actions were highlighted after opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, expressed support for the U.S. government’s interventions.
Maduro has faced sanctions and legal charges, including accusations of corruption from the U.S. in 2020. Despite denials and counter-accusations, Maduro and his wife now confront criminal charges in the United States. Questions have arisen regarding the legality of the recent strike, with Senator Mike Lee from Utah raising concerns about the constitutional justifications for the attack without a formal declaration of war or military force authorization.