Trump Confirms Kinetic Strikes on Caracas; Claims Capture of Nicolás Maduro

WASHINGTON D.C. — President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that U.S. forces have executed "large scale" kinetic strikes on Venezuelan soil, an operation the White House states has resulted in the capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The strike marks a historic and definitive escalation in U.S. foreign policy, transitioning from maritime containment to direct military engagement against sovereign Venezuelan targets.

'Large Scale' Kinetic Action Speaking to The New York Times, President Trump characterized the operation as the result of "a lot of good planning." In a concurrent statement on Truth Social, the President detailed that the mission involved both U.S. law enforcement and military assets.

Reports from Caracas corroborate the President's statement. Explosions and power outages rocked the capital early Saturday morning, with specific, confirmed hits on the Fuerte Tiuna military base.

This development represents a critical threshold in the conflict. While U.S. forces have maintained a naval blockade and engaged in skirmishes with "narco boats" at sea for months, the bombardment of Fuerte Tiuna confirms that U.S. kinetic power has now been projected directly onto Venezuelan land.

From Blockade to Decapitation The strikes on Caracas are the culmination of a five-month intensification of hostilities. Since August 2025, the U.S. has anchored a significant presence in the Caribbean, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford.

Until Saturday, engagement was limited to the maritime domain—specifically the targeting of over 35 vessels identified as narcotics transports. The administration had enforced a de facto blockade on oil tankers, but the direct targeting of command and control centers in Caracas signifies a shift from economic pressure to regime decapitation.

War Powers Clock Begins With U.S. armed forces now undeniably introduced into hostilities against Venezuela, the domestic focus shifts to the War Powers Resolution.

While President Trump praised the "brilliant" execution of the capture, the White House has not yet confirmed if a 48-hour report regarding the introduction of forces will be submitted to Congress. The operation follows a week of rejected diplomatic overtures from Maduro and a declaration of a "state of external disturbance" by the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense.

President Trump is scheduled to provide further operational details during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago at 11:00 AM ET.