Donald Trump says US forces have ‘captured’ Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro — as it happened

As it’s past midnight in Australia we’ll be wrapping up this blog and continuing coverage for Sunday, starting with statements from US President Donald Trump, here:

Thank you for staying with us overnight.

Donald Trump has just spoken live to Fox News, revealing multiple new details about the operation in Caracas and the US’s plans from here.

He said Nicolas Maduro and his wife were on their way to New York, where they face criminal charges related to drug trafficking and corruption.

“They’re on a ship but they’re heading to New York,” Trump said in a phone interview.

“The helicopters took them out. Nice flight, I’m sure they loved it.”

Asked what would happen now in Venezuela, he said:

“We’re making that decision now. We can’t take a chance on letting somebody else run it and just take over where he left off.

“…We’ll be involved in it very much. We want to do liberty for the people.”

He said the US would also now be “very involved” in the country’s oil industry.

Trump said he had spoken to Maduro as recently as a week ago.

“He wanted to negotiate at the end and I didn’t want to negotiate,” he said.

He also revealed the operation had been planned for four days ago, but was delayed by bad weather.

 Military planes were seen taking off, landing and taxiing in the US territory of Puerto Rico on Saturday.

Though the activity occurred after the US attacked Venezuela, it was not immediately clear if it was related to the operation.

It’s worth noting that, towards the end of last year active US military aircraft activity increased at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base, according to Reuters.

Construction at the former naval base in Puerto Rico — shuttered by the navy more than 20 years ago — was underway on September 17 when crews began clearing and repaving taxiways leading to the runway, according to photos taken by Reuters.

Until the navy withdrew from the facility in 2004, Roosevelt Roads was one of the biggest US naval stations in the world.

Puerto Rico is around 800 kilometres from Venezuela.

We’ve just heard from US Vice President JD Vance, who said Nicolas Maduro was offered “mutilple off ramps” by Donald Trump.

“Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says,” Vance posted to X.

In a follow-up post, Mr Vance also took aim at those questioning the legality of the US actions.

And PSA for everyone saying this was “illegal”:

Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don’t get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.

Pictures show destroyed anti-aircraft units at La Carlota military air base in the wake of US strikes.

The images appear to show the remains of a Russian-supplied Buk-M2E surface-to-air missile system.

Venezuela’s neighbouring countries have largely condemned the US’s attack and “capture” of Maduro.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric, called for a “peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country.”

“Chile reaffirms its commitment to the basic principles of International Law, such as the prohibition of the use of force, non-intervention, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the territorial integrity of States.

“The Venezuelan crisis must be resolved through dialogue and the support of multilateralism, and not through violence or foreign interference.”

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said there was “deep concern” over the actions “as well as the resulting escalation of tension in the region”.

“Colombia reaffirms its unconditional commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, in particular respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the prohibition of the use or threat of use of force, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes. In this regard, the Colombian Government rejects any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put the civilian population at risk.”

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamala Persad-Bissessar distanced the country from the actions.

“Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations. Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela.”

Meanwhile Argentina’s President Javier Milei, an ally of Trump, supported the actions and said it proved “freedom advances”.

“Long live freedom, damn it.”

Jairo Chacin, 39, a mechanic and workshop owner in Venezuela described mixed emotions after hearing the news of Nicolás Maduro’s alleged capture.

“My sister, who is in the United States, woke me up with the news; she was crying. We cried together out of happiness,” Chacin said.

“I went out to check on my business because I was afraid of looting, but the street is deserted. I wanted to fill up my gas tank, but the service stations are already closed, so I took the opportunity to buy food because we don’t know what’s coming. Honestly, I have a mix of fear and joy.”

Meanwhile, in Miami, Florida, opposition supporters gathered to celebrate, waving Venezuelan flags.

Carmen Marquez, 50, who lives in the east of the capital, said she went to her roof and could hear aircraft at different altitudes, though she could not see them.

“Flare-like lights were crossing the sky and then explosions could be heard. We’re worried about what’s coming next. We don’t know anything from the government, only what the state television says.”

In Valencia, a city in central Venezuela, Nancy Pérez, a 74-year-old woman went out to a bakery near her home.

“I couldn’t believe it. I saw it first on social media and then on television. Now, I want to know what will come next.”

Here’s a video we posted earlier showing US helicopters flying above Caracas:

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US Attorney General Pamela Bondi has clarified the charges being laid against Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, saying they have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.

“Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States,” she said on X.

“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

She then thanked Donald Trump “for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People” and the military for the “incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers”.

Maduro was indicted in US federal court in March 2020.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed deep concern over reports that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were forcibly removed from the country by the United States during what it called “aggressive actions”.

“Such actions, if they did indeed take place, constitute an unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an independent state, respect for which is a key principle of international law.”

This follows ongoing tensions between Russia and the US over Venezuela’s political crisis, with Russia maintaining support for Maduro’s regime.

On May 7, 2025, the Russian Federation and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela signed the Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation in Moscow.

The treaty aimed to deepen diplomatic and political ties between the two nations, focusing on regular dialogue and enhanced cooperation on issues of mutual interest, including international and regional concerns.

A US official earlier told Reuters that Maduro was taken by US special forces, and this has been further clarified by US network CBS, who reports that soldiers from the US Army’s elite Delta Force were involved.

The Delta Force unit is comparable to the US Navy’s Seal Team 6, who were involved with the mission that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011.

CNN has reported that Maduro’s location was tracked by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which Trump had given approval to operate covertly inside Venezeula several months ago.

Caracas-based journalist Helena Carpio says people have been cautious to publicly react to Nicolas Maduro’s “capture” since there had been a crackdown on critics of Maduro who, according to international monitors and the United Nations, lost the election in 2024.

She told News Channel some people may have been scared but that it was somewhat expected a scenario such as this would unfold as there had been quiet conversations about possible US intervention since a military build up began months ago.

Watch the full interview below:

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has just reposted a social media post from July last year stating that Nicolás Maduro has been indicted for “pushing drugs into the United States”.

The US says he is the leader of Cartel of the Suns, a drug-trafficking operation it says involves high-ranking Venezuelan officials, and coordinated cocaine shipments with Colombia’s FARC, a US-designated terrorist group. The US says Maduro also facilitated weapons transfers and trained militia groups loyal to the cartel.

In March 2020, he was indicted on charges of narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession of illegal weapons. The US has been actively pursuing his arrest for a while; below is the official wanted poster.

Maduro, who rose to power after former president Hugo Chávez died in 2013, has also faced widespread accusations of electoral fraud and is not recognised by over 50 countries, including the US, as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.

Venezuela’s defence minister has said the country’s military resources have been deployed in response to the US attacks, accusing it of hitting residential areas.

He said Venezuela will resist the presence of foreign troops, calling them “invading” forces.

“[They] have desecrated our soil, going so far as to strike, using missiles and rockets fired from their combat helicopters, residential areas populated by civilians,” Vladimir Padrino Lopez said in a video statement shared on social media.

He said information about dead and injured people is being compiled.

He said the country would launch a “massive deployment of all land, air, naval, riverine and missile capabilities… for comprehensive defense.”

Venezuelan journalist Victor Amaya has spoken to News Channel, saying it remains to be seen what the reaction of the people will be, as many of the events have unfolded in the early hours while everyone is asleep.

He said people are finding out about Maduro’s fate on social media, as the news media in Venezuela is controlled by the government and the details have not yet been widely spread.

He said if the news of Maduro’s fall is confirmed, then, according to the constitution, the vice president should be sworn in, assume control of the government, and then call for an election within 30 days.

Watch the full interview below:

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Spain: The Spanish Foreign Ministry has called for de-escalation, moderation, and respect for international law in Venezuela. The country has offered itself as a mediator to help find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Iran: Iran, an ally of Venezuela, condemned the US military strikes as a “blatant violation” of Venezuela’s sovereignty and “territorial integrity”. The Iranian Foreign Ministry called for the UN Security Council to “act immediately to halt the unlawful aggression” and hold those responsible accountable.

Germany: Germany’s foreign ministry expressed great concern and announced that a crisis team would meet later on Saturday to assess the situation. The ministry is in close contact with the German embassy in Caracas.

Colombia: Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on X today, saying: “At this moment they are bombing Caracas. Alert everyone — they have attacked Venezuela. They are bombing with missiles. The Organization of American States and the UN must meet immediately.” Mr Petro is a vocal critic of the US and has repeatedly called for international action against what he sees as escalating US intervention.

Italy: Italy’s foreign minister said they are closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela, with particular attention to the Italian community. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is reportedly being kept constantly informed of developments.

Russia: Russia condemned the US military actions, calling them an “act of armed aggression” against Venezuela. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern and urged efforts to “prevent further escalation”, emphasising the need for dialogue.

Republican US Senator Mike Lee has said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was “arrested” by US forces to “stand trial on criminal charges in the United States”.

He had earlier posted on X questioning “what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action (attacking Venezuela) in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force”.

After speaking to Rubio, he said the action “likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect US personnel from an actual or imminent attack” and was meant to protect the troops “executing the arrest warrant”.

He added that Rubio “anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in US custody”.

Donald Trump has had a brief phone interview with the New York Times, saying the taking of Nicolas Maduro was a “brilliant operation” but also sidestepping questions about whether he sought congressional approval for the military strikes.

“A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people,” Trump told the newspaper.

“It was a brilliant operation, actually.”

The Times reported Trump said he would address what is next for Venezuela in a planned news conference he is due to hold at his Mar-a-lago resort in Florida in the next few hours.