Agadir – The U.S president Donald Trump announced early Saturday that the United States had carried out a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela and claimed that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country.
“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! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump said.
Directly before the announcement, Venezuela’s government accused the US of trying to “seize control” over the country and launching a series of attacks against civilians and military after explosions rocked its capital, Caracas, before dawn on Saturday.
Afterwards, the Venezuela’s government confirmed that the capital Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, La Guaira and Araguacity had come under attack.
The operation aimed to put an end to what Trump called “the illegitimate rule” of Nicolás Maduro and the U.S. accusations of Maduro running a “narco-state” and rigging last year’s election.
Republican U.S. Senator Mike Lee said that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him Maduro was arrested by U.S. forces to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.
“Just got off the phone with Marco Rubio. He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was developed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant.
This action likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack.”
