U.S. Captures Venezuelan President Maduro Amid Military Strikes

In a significant escalation of U.S. intervention in Venezuela, American military forces launched coordinated strikes early Saturday, leading to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The operation, executed in Caracas and surrounding regions, targeted multiple locations, including military facilities and communication centers.

The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted Maduro and Flores on charges of participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy, alleging their involvement in facilitating large-scale cocaine shipments to the United States. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that both are expected to face trial in New York.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States would temporarily govern Venezuela until a stable political transition is established. He emphasized the necessity of this intervention to ensure regional stability and to combat drug trafficking networks.

The military operation has drawn international condemnation, with critics questioning the legality and potential repercussions of such unilateral action. Venezuela's allies, including Cuba and Iran, have denounced the U.S. intervention as a violation of sovereignty.

This development follows a series of U.S. measures aimed at undermining Maduro's regime, including sanctions on Venezuelan oil firms and military actions against alleged drug-smuggling operations. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing debates over the implications of U.S. involvement in Venezuela's internal affairs.