Trump Captures Venezuelan President Maduro, Occupies Venezuela

U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a large-scale military operation.

“The United States says it has carried out a “large scale military strike” against Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro in a major escalation after months of US threats to use military force against Caracas”

Al Jazeera

Trump announced the strike on social media, saying it was done with U.S. law enforcement.

Al Jazeera

The operation followed months of U.S. pressure including deadly strikes on drug trafficking boats.

Maduro's government called it an imperialist attack and urged citizens to take to the streets.

Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed the presidency.

The operation raised constitutional questions about presidential war powers.

Brookings noted the executive claims broad power so long as engagements are not prolonged.

AP News

Rubio said this wasn’t an invasion, suggesting limits to unilateral action.

Legal experts questioned the lawfulness of capturing a foreign head of state without sanction.

The Atlantic Council described the campaign as a high-risk gamble.

International reaction was mixed.

Venezuela's opposition celebrated the action.

Several Latin American countries supported the operation, while others condemned it.

Russia threatened to pursue Trump with a war reparations suit.

Trump declared the U.S. would run the country and tap its oil reserves.

The operation had immediate human costs.

U.S. attacks began around 2 am local time with explosions felt in the capital.

Brookings

At least 40 people died, according to an anonymous Venezuelan official.

The port of La Guaira was among the infrastructures hit.

The U.S. moved swiftly to overturn sanctions and allow oil purchases.