Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores were taken into custody during a surprise overnight raid by US forces, after being woken from their sleep and removed from their bedroom, according to a CNN report citing sources familiar with the operation.
The operation reportedly took place early Saturday at the heavily guarded Ft Tiuna military compound in Caracas, where the couple had been staying. US special forces moved in under the cover of darkness, with the mission concluding in under 30 minutes, the report said.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the capture in public remarks, describing Maduro’s location as a “fortress.” Speaking to Fox News, Trump said US forces had “turned off almost all of the lights” in Caracas as the operation unfolded.
Trump also said Maduro was being transported aboard a US ship to New York City, where he is expected to be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. A person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Maduro is likely to make his first court appearance on Monday.
Residents in Caracas reported hearing explosions and seeing low-flying aircraft during the operation, which was accompanied by flashes of light and smoke in parts of the city. US officials said the mission was the result of months of detailed planning.
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said US forces repeatedly rehearsed the operation to ensure its success. According to US officials, planners studied Maduro’s daily routines and movements in preparation for the raid.
Following the operation, the US Department of Justice announced that Maduro faces charges related to an alleged long-running cocaine trafficking conspiracy. An updated indictment also named his wife and son among additional defendants. If convicted, Maduro could face a possible life sentence under US law. Maduro has consistently denied the allegations.
The Venezuelan government condemned the US action, accusing Washington of striking civilian and military targets and calling the operation an act of aggression. The developments mark a sharp escalation in already tense relations between the United States and Venezuela.