CARACAS/WASHINGTON – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained and flown out of the country. This was announced on Tuesday by US President Donald Trump on the social network Truth Social, who also confirmed that the United States had carried out military strikes on targets in Venezuela. According to Trump, this was a „necessary step to restore stability and security in the region.“.
The American president said that Maduro's arrest was part of an „international security operation,“ the details of which he declined to specify. „The Venezuelan people have the right to freedom and an end to repression,“ Trump wrote. At the same time, he called a press conference for 11:00 local time (17:00 CET) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where, according to the White House, more information on the situation will be provided. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government announced that it has no confirmed information on the president's whereabouts. Information Minister Freddy Ñáñez said that Caracas was „verifying all available reports“ and described the American claims as part of a „psychological and media war.“ Shortly before, however, the government announced that Maduro had declared a state of emergency in the country in response to an „immediate foreign threat.“.
At the same time, Venezuelan authorities announced a large-scale deployment of the army, including air defence and ballistic systems. According to the General Staff, the armed forces are to protect strategic infrastructure, oil terminals and the capital Caracas. The public has been advised to restrict movement and follow safety instructions. Reports of US strikes prompted immediate reactions in the region. Several Latin American states called for maximum restraint and respect for international law.
The United Nations said it was closely monitoring the situation and called for the protection of civilians. Moscow and Beijing expressed „serious concern“ and requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Analysts warn that confirmation of Maduro's arrest would mark an unprecedented turning point in the Venezuelan crisis, which has been plaguing the country for more than a decade. Uncertainty about future developments is fuelling fears of an escalation of the conflict and wider destabilisation of the Caribbean region.
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