Venezuelan president receives four major charges after Trump announced ‘capture’ following military strikes

The story emerged suddenly and dramatically, accompanied by widespread uncertainty. Reports claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured by U.S. forces after alleged military action in Caracas, while unverified videos of strikes in the capital spread rapidly online.

As images and claims circulated, the line between confirmed facts and speculation became increasingly blurred. Social media amplified the confusion, with events appearing to unfold faster than official confirmation could keep pace.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump added to the turmoil by posting on Truth Social that U.S. forces had carried out a major operation capturing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and removing them from Venezuela. He claimed coordination with U.S. law enforcement but offered no immediate proof.

Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Maduro had been indicted in the Southern District of New York. She detailed charges including narco-terrorism, drug trafficking conspiracies, and weapons-related offenses, describing the case as a long-running law enforcement effort.

Bondi portrayed the operation as a success against international narcotics networks, though she did not clarify the circumstances of Maduro’s alleged detention or whether Flores faced formal charges.

In Venezuela, officials reacted with alarm. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government lacked verified information about Maduro’s location and demanded proof that he and Flores were alive.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López denounced the reports as unprecedented aggression, placing the military on alert. For now, the situation remains clouded by conflicting claims, deepening regional and global tensions.