On Saturday, President Donald Trump shared a post on Truth Social featuring an image and a brief message that claimed the transport of Nicolás Maduro to a U.S. military vessel following his capture.
The post, which appeared shortly after noon, simply stated: "Nicolás Maduro on board USS Iwo Jima." This terse message was accompanied by a photo depicting Maduro with his face covered, flanked by armed personnel, presumably inside a military installation or vessel.
Reports from sources such as CNN and Reuters indicate that the operation leading to the Venezuelan leader's arrest was carried out by the elite Delta Force, with support from CIA intelligence.
The capture reportedly took place in the early morning hours when U.S. forces stormed a residence where Maduro was staying with his wife, Cilia Flores.
While Trump refrained from providing additional details about the detainees' current location, Pentagon officials verified that no American casualties occurred during the raid.
An upcoming press conference is scheduled to be held in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, where the U.S. President is expected to provide further insights into the operation and outline the charges Maduro will face on American soil.
The President's message sparked a whirlwind of international reactions. Nations allied with Caracas, including China, Iran, and Cuba, denounced the operation as a "violation of international law," whereas the Venezuelan opposition heralded it as "the end of an era."
Key Details About Maduro's Capture
Who led the operation to capture Nicolás Maduro?
The operation was executed by the Delta Force, with intelligence support from the CIA.
Where was Nicolás Maduro allegedly taken after his capture?
According to Trump's post, Maduro was taken on board the USS Iwo Jima, a U.S. military vessel.
What has been the reaction from international governments?
Governments allied with Caracas, such as China, Iran, and Cuba, condemned the operation, while the Venezuelan opposition welcomed it.