BREAKING: Trump strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and First Lady

The capture was carried out as low-flying aircraft flew over the capital and seven explosions could be heard. Maduro called this an "imperialist attack" and "urged citizens to take to the streets." The attack took about 30 minutes. A Chinese delegation was in Venezuela at the time of the attack and were set to meet with Maduro on Saturday.

"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. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter!," he wrote.

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Trump later called into morning news show Fox & Friends to speak about the success of the action. "The team did an incredible job," he said. He said that he was told by military leaders that no other nation on earth could have done this.

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Maduro was the sitting president when he was taken by US Armed Forces. Thirty-six years ago, the US undertook similar action when the George H.W. Bush administration went into Panama and captured that nation's head Manuel Noriega. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is next in line to lead Venezuela.

After the strike, Rodriguez said "We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. We demand proof of life." Reports on social media suggest that the Venezuelan opposition has mobilized and is attempting to take control of government. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado recently won the Nobel Peace Prize, which she dedicated to Trump.

"Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York," Attorney General Pam Bondi said. "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.

"They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts. On behalf of the entire U.S. DOJ, I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers."

https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/2007428087143686611?s=20

The indictment she's referring to is from 2020, under the first Trump administration, when Meduro was indicted for "narco-terrorism." It's not clear if this is what Bondi is referring to or if she was talking about a new indictment.

Vice President JD Vance defended the strikes in two posts, saying

"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. Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says. Kudos to our brave special operators who pulled off a truly impressive operation."

https://twitter.com/JDVance/status/2007447083909841398?s=20

"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."

https://twitter.com/JDVance/status/2007447388697268441?s=20

US Democrat lawmakers condemned the action and said that Congress had not authorized the strike. Congress is the body constitutionally designated to declare way. It is unclear if Congress had been briefed ahead of the attack.

Trump has been ramping up pressure on Venezeula for months, including strikes on alleged drug boats and surrounding the nation with an armada in December. He gave Maduro an ultimatum in December, telling Maduro during a phone call that Ihe must leave the country. He "closed' Venezuelan air space at that time. In August, he offered $50 million for information that lead to the arrest of Maduro.

Venezuelan ally Russia issued a statement as well, saying "This morning, the US committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This development gives rise to deep concern and warrants condemnation." They went on to say that the actions are "untenable," said "further escalation" must be prevented, and that "Latin America must remain a zone of peace."

"We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people ," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "and our support for the course pursued by its Bolivarian leadership, aimed at safeguarding the country’s national interests and sovereignty."