254
By Lizzy Chirkpi
The United States of America on Saturday announced drug trafficking and terrorism-related charges against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, following what President Donald Trump described as a major U.S. military operation targeting the South American nation.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that U.S. forces had carried out a large-scale strike in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife.
“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 wrote.
“This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement.”
Trump said he would address the development at a news conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (1600 GMT) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he is spending the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
According to U.S. media reports citing administration officials, the operation was carried out by the U.S. Army’s Delta Force, an elite special operations unit, which was tasked with capturing the Venezuelan leader.
A Republican senator said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had indicated that Maduro would face criminal prosecution in the United States, where he was indicted several years ago. The senator added that Rubio “anticipates no further action in Venezuela” following the operation.
The Trump administration has long accused Maduro of involvement in international drug trafficking and of collaborating with armed groups designated by Washington as terrorist organisations allegations the Venezuelan president has repeatedly denied.
The reported strike follows months of increased U.S. military activity in the region, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and other warships to the Caribbean.
In recent weeks, U.S. authorities have also seized two oil tankers off the Venezuelan coast, carried out lethal strikes on more than 30 boats allegedly transporting narcotics, and targeted what Trump described as “the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs.”
Congressional sources said leaders in the U.S. Congress were informed of the operation only after it had begun. Members of the so-called “Gang of Eight” including House and Senate leadership and the chairs and ranking members of the intelligence committees—received notification once the Venezuela operation was already underway.
The claims of a U.S. military strike and the reported capture of Maduro have drawn swift international attention and condemnation, heightening global concern over the potential implications for regional stability and international law.