WASHINGTON – The United States launched strikes in Venezuela on Saturday and removed President Nicolás Maduro from power, President Donald Trump announced.
The development marks Washington’s most direct military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama which removed dictator Manuel Noriega.
Trump said Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country after what he described as a large-scale U.S. operation.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
The administration has accused Maduro of running a “narco-state” and manipulating Venezuela’s 2024 election, charges the longtime leader has denied, saying the United States is seeking control of the country’s vast oil reserves.
U.S. officials said the operation was carried out with American law enforcement and elite military units.
A U.S. official told Reuters that Maduro would be taken to the United States to face criminal charges.
Republican Sen. Mike Lee said he was told no further U.S. action inside Venezuela was expected.
Venezuela’s ruling Chavismo movement said civilians and members of the security forces were killed in the strikes but did not give figures.
It was unclear whether Washington would seek the removal of other senior officials or allow the ruling party to regroup.
The opposition, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, had no immediate comment.
