U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday made a dramatic claim that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and removed from Venezuela following what he described as a large-scale U.S. operation.
In a post published on his Truth Social platform, Trump asserted that the United States had “successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela,” alleging that President Maduro and his wife were apprehended and flown out of the country. Trump did not provide further details on where the couple had been taken or the nature of the operation.
As of Saturday evening, no independent confirmation had been issued by the U.S. Department of Defense, the White House, or Venezuelan authorities regarding the alleged capture. International media outlets and diplomatic sources have also not verified the claim.
The statement comes against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between Washington and Caracas, marked by years of sanctions, diplomatic standoffs, and disputes over Venezuela’s leadership and governance. However, analysts caution that such a significant development would likely prompt immediate official briefings and international reactions if confirmed.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were last publicly seen on December 28, 2025, when they attended a year-end military salutation in La Guaira, Venezuela. Since then, no official announcements have been made regarding their status or movements.
Observers say clarity from both governments will be critical, as the claim- if true -would represent a major escalation with far-reaching geopolitical implications. Until verified, the announcement remains an unconfirmed assertion originating solely from President Trump’s social media post.