US President Donald Trump says that Washington “successfully” carried out a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, claiming that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and removed from 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,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
In a brief written statement, Trump said that the operation was conducted “in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement.”
He said additional details would be released later. He also announced that a news conference would be held at 11 a.m. at his Mar-a-Lago residence in the US state of Florida.
Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he anticipates no further action against Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, says a Republican senator.
Mike Lee confirmed Venezuelan President Maduro’s arrest, to stand trial on criminal charges in the US, following a phone call with Rubio.
“He [Rubio] anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in US custody,” says Senator Lee.
Lee adds that the US strikes were “deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant”.
Earlier, Lee said in a post on X: “I look forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorisation for the use of military force.”
BBC / Titilayo Kupoliyi
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