In a shocking escalation of US-Venezuela tensions, President Donald Trump announced Saturday that US forces had launched a “large scale strike” on Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro along with his wife. Trump made the declaration on Truth Social, claiming the couple had been flown out of the country.

Explosions and helicopter activity rocked Caracas around 2:00 am local time (0600 GMT), continuing for nearly an hour, according to AFP journalists. Key military installations, including Fuerte Tiuna and Carlota airbase, were among the targets. Videos shared online showed helicopters cutting through the night sky and smoke rising from impacted areas.

Venezuelan authorities condemned the strikes as an “extremely serious military aggression” and reported that Maduro had declared a state of emergency. However, the government did not confirm the fate of the president, who has been in power since 2013.

Neighboring Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro called for an emergency UN meeting and announced troop deployments to the Venezuelan border. Venezuela’s defense ministry accused the US of targeting residential areas and pledged a “massive deployment” of military resources.

Trump hailed the operation as “brilliant” in an interview with The New York Times, adding that it involved careful planning and elite troops. He also justified previous US actions, including airspace closures, oil sanctions, and naval deployments, as part of ongoing pressure against Maduro, whom Washington has accused of leading a drug cartel—a claim Maduro denies.

The international community has reacted with alarm. Russia and Iran have condemned the strikes, while calls for proof of Maduro’s status have intensified as Venezuela remains in a state of uncertainty. Residents of Caracas reported widespread panic, power outages, and preparation to evacuate homes amid the explosions.

The situation continues to evolve, with global attention focused on the implications for regional stability, US foreign policy, and the future leadership of Venezuela.