Trump confirms Maduro capture, says Venezuelan leader headed to New York
US president says forces suffered injuries but no deaths in raid; vows strong American involvement in Venezuela's oil industry
WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) — U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and will be taken to New York, while revealing that American forces suffered injuries but no deaths during the operation.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said he watched the raid on Maduro’s “highly guarded fortress” unfold “like I was watching a television show,” noting the “speed” and “violence” of the operation.
“A couple of guys were hit, but they came back, and they’re supposed to be in pretty good shape,” Trump said, referring to injured US personnel.
The president said the U.S. is now deciding what’s next for Venezuela following Maduro’s capture, adding that Washington will be “very strongly involved” in the country’s oil industry.
“We have the greatest oil companies in the world, the biggest, the greatest, and we’re going to be very much involved in it,” Trump said.
He added that the U.S. will not allow anyone to take over where Maduro “left off” and said the administration will consider whether opposition leaders should take charge, though he acknowledged that Venezuela currently has a vice president in control.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance repeated accusations that Maduro is responsible for drug trafficking and claimed Washington had offered the Venezuelan leader “multiple off ramps” before the operation.
“The president offered multiple off ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States,” Vance said.
He defended the operation by characterizing Maduro as a fugitive from U.S. law, saying: “You don’t get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas.”
Trump described the raid as a “signal we’re not going to be pushed around.”
Attacks and international reaction
Venezuela’s government declared a national emergency following what it described as attacks on civilian and military installations across multiple states, including the capital Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
The government condemned what it called “military aggression” by Washington, accusing the U.S. of attacking sovereign Venezuelan territory.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the operation as a “criminal attack” and “state terrorism,” calling for an urgent international response.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed concern over the escalating situation.
Background
The operation comes after months of escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas. The U.S. has accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking and raised the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million.
The Trump administration conducted more than 20 air strikes in waters near Venezuela since September while imposing sanctions on the country’s oil sector.
Just days before the operation, Maduro had indicated he was open to negotiating with the U.S. on combating drug trafficking.
The Venezuelan leader has repeatedly accused Washington of pursuing regime change to gain control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
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