The United States has launched a large-scale military assault on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in the early hours of Saturday, in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two countries.

According to U.S. President Donald Trump, the operation targeted both civilian and military installations across Venezuela. Multiple explosions were reported in the capital, Caracas, with witnesses describing loud blasts and low-flying aircraft near key military sites.

Venezuelan authorities have not released detailed information on the extent of the damage, while international reactions are continuing to emerge as the situation develops.

Nicolás Maduro, a former bus driver and trade unionist, rose through the political ranks as a close ally of longtime Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez. He served as president of the National Assembly and later as foreign minister, before being elected president in 2013 following Chávez’s death.

Maduro’s presidency has been marked by a prolonged economic crisis, hyperinflation, and widespread shortages of food and medicine. His administration has also faced repeated allegations of electoral fraud and human rights abuses, with international observers questioning the credibility of elections held under his rule.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Maduro’s government and accused him of involvement in drug trafficking, allegations he has consistently denied.

The situation remains fluid as governments around the world assess the implications of what is being described as an unprecedented escalation in U.S.–Venezuela relations.