U.S. Claims Maduro Captured as Trump Shrugs Off Congress, Allies React
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Saturday defended a dramatic U.S. military operation in Venezuela that the White House says resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, triggering international backlash and urgent questions over legality and regional stability.
According to U.S. officials, American special forces carried out a rapid strike on targets in Caracas, including the military complex Fort Tiuna, early Saturday. The operation reportedly lasted less than 30 minutes and involved multiple explosions. The Trump administration says Maduro and Flores were taken into custody without U.S. casualties and are now being transported to the United States to face federal charges, including narcoterrorism and large-scale cocaine trafficking.
Trump described the raid as a “brilliant operation” in public remarks and media interviews, dismissing criticism from Democrats who questioned whether the action violated the Constitution or the War Powers Resolution. “They should say ‘great job,’” Trump said, pushing back on concerns that Congress was not consulted before the strike.
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Democratic leaders and legal scholars have raised alarms about the precedent set by launching a military operation inside a sovereign nation without explicit congressional authorization. Critics also note the operation echoes past U.S. interventions in Latin America, including the 1989 invasion of Panama that led to the capture of dictator Manuel Noriega.
Venezuela’s government has sharply disputed the U.S. account. Senior officials in Caracas declared a state of emergency, condemned the raid as “imperialist aggression,” and demanded proof of life for Maduro. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez accused Washington of violating international law and destabilizing the region.
International reactions were swift and polarized. Russia and Iran condemned the operation, while several Latin American leaders warned the raid could escalate tensions across the region. Some Venezuelan opposition figures and members of the diaspora welcomed the news, seeing it as an end to Maduro’s long-running rule, while others expressed concern over the risk of chaos and prolonged U.S. involvement.
Trump has suggested the United States may help guide a political transition in Venezuela, citing national security concerns and the country’s vast oil and mineral resources. Key details about the operation — including Maduro’s exact location and the legal path forward — remain contested as the story continues to develop.
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