President Trump said on social media early Saturday that the U.S. struck Venezuela, "captured" President Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of his oil-rich South American country along with his wife. The world-shaking announcement follows Trump's months-long pressure campaign against Maduro.
Why it matters: The U.S. military has been targeting Venezuelan ships accused of carrying drugs, as part of an effort by Trump to force strongman Maduro, 63, from power.
* The State and Justice departments set a bounty on Maduro this summer "for violating U.S. narcotics laws.
* The State and Justice departments set a bounty on Maduro this summer "for violating U.S. narcotics laws.
In a brief phone interview with The New York Times after the announcement, Trump celebrated the success of the mission: "A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people ... It was a brilliant operation, actually."
* Trump said he plans a news conference at 11am ET at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., where he's spending New Year's week.
* Attorney General Pam Bondi posted to X that Maduro and his wife face indictment in Manhattan; Maduro personally faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, she said.
* Attorney General Pam Bondi posted to X that Maduro and his wife face indictment in Manhattan; Maduro personally faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, she said.
How it happened: Trump posted the news on Truth Social at 4:21am ET, and White House accounts reposted his Truth on X a minute later.
* The full post: "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."
On the ground: At least seven explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas early Saturday. Maduro's government accused the U.S. of attacking civilian and military installations, AP reports.
* Ahead of the explosions in the capital, the FAA issued a ban on U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace because of "ongoing military activity." (Read More)
