President Donald Trump says the US has captured Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife as he confirms “large scale” strike against the country
He adds that Maduro has been flown out of the country, though details remain scarce – read Trump’s Truth Social statement in full
Venezuela announces a state of national emergency and rejects and denounces “military aggression” – it has not yet responded to Trump’s post
“My heart was pumping and legs were shaking,” an eyewitness in Caracas tells the BBC after explosions were heard across the city – footage shows huge plumes of smoke as fires rage
It follows weeks of heightened tension as Trump ramped up pressure on Maduro – how did we get here?
The US has long accused Nicolás Maduro of leading an international drug trafficking organisation, something that Maduro denies.
Trump did not give more detail about how Maduro was captured or where he has been taken.
The Venezuelan government have not yet confirmed this.
The US had offered a $50m reward for information leading to the arrest of Maduro.
That, along with the huge military build-up in the region over the last few months, were interpreted in the region as encouragement for someone inside the country to turn against him.
US President Donald Trump says the US has carried out “large scale strike against Venezuela” and “captured its leader, President Nicolas Maduro” and his wife.
Here’s the statement from Truth Social in full:
“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.”
