US Forces Detain Venezuela's President Maduro in Major Operation

In a significant military operation, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained by US forces and taken out of the country, as announced by US President Donald Trump early Saturday.

The announcement came via Trump's social media post at 4:21 am, stating that Maduro was now in US custody. This followed reports of numerous explosions in Caracas, leading to speculation about a major military initiative.

Witnesses described hearing loud blasts for about 30 minutes, with at least seven explosions reported. Smoke could be seen billowing from a military base hangar, and another site reportedly suffered a power outage from the strikes, aimed at crucial military infrastructure associated with Venezuela's armed forces.

During the operation, Maduro and Flores were at their residence within the Ft. Tiuna military complex on Caracas' outskirts. The mission, dubbed “Absolute Resolve,” took place under the cover of night following weeks of meticulous planning.

Officials acquainted with the initiative revealed that extensive rehearsals were conducted, including training exercises on a mock replica of the presidential compound. US operatives were armed with specialized tools intended for accessing fortified safe rooms if necessary.

A journalist from a major American outlet, who has tracked US-Venezuela relations for nearly a year, noted that the circumstances strongly indicated US involvement following the noise disturbances. Official confirmation arrived when Trump announced Maduro’s capture.

In a brief phone conversation with the journalist, Trump did not offer specifics but urged reporters to anticipate further details at an upcoming press conference.

US authorities indicated that Maduro and his wife are anticipated to face charges related to narco-terrorism in American courts. Maduro, who has governed Venezuela since 2013, has long accused the US of attempts to destabilize his administration to seize control of the nation’s substantial oil reserves.

This audacious operation represents a significant escalation in tensions between the US and Venezuela, sparking concerns about the potential ramifications across Latin America and the global landscape as the world awaits more official updates.