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By Brendan Cole
Senior Reporter
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Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has been captured and flown out of Venezuela following a U.S. military operation, President Donald Trump announced.
Trump told Fox and Friends on Saturday that Maduro and his wife had been taken by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima, one of the U.S. warships deployed in the Caribbean. He added that they would then be flown to New York, where they face criminal charges, including on narco-terrorism.
"They'll be heading into New York. The helicopters took them out, and they went by helicopter on a nice flight. I'm sure they loved it, but they've killed a lot of people," he said. "Even people in their own country. They killed a lot of people to maintain power. He's a very vicious person."
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Newsweek has contacted the White House and the Venezuelan foreign ministry for comment.
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Why It Matters
Maduro had always said that the increasing pressure on his government by the Trump administration, which included strikes on alleged narcotics vessels, was aimed at regime change.
Trump’s statement that Maduro and his wife had been removed from the country will raise questions about what fate the first couple faces, and who will replace them.
What To Know
Speaking on Fox News on Saturday, Trump said he watched the operation from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, and praised the military members involved.
"It's just it was an amazing thing, the amazing job that these people did. There's nobody else could have done anything like it," he said.
Trump added that he had spoken to Maduro around a week ago and had asked him to surrender.
"I actually spoke to him myself. I said; 'you have to give up, you have to surrender'," Trump said, adding: "He was not willing."
Senator Mike Lee posted on X that he had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told him that Maduro had been arrested to stand trial on criminal charges in the U.S.
Lee said that "the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant" and the operation "likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack."
Maduro had been indicted in March 2020 on 'narco-terrorism' conspiracy charges in the Southern District of New York. In August 2025, the U.S. doubled its bounty to $50 million for information leading to Maduro's arrest.
The explosions in Caracas early Saturday morning took place during a 30-minute attack, which sent people rushing into the streets. There are no immediate reports of casualties.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump: "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."
Senator Mike Lee, on X: "Just got off the phone with @SecRubio., He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States."
Delcy Rodríguez, the executive vice president of Venezuela: "In the face of this situation, we do not know the whereabouts of President Maduro. We demand from Donald Trump proof of life of President Maduro. People to the streets."
What Happens Next
A press conference will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday which is expected to shed more light on what happened and what happens next.
Venezuela’s Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino López, announced a deployment of military forces and called for a united front of resistance in the face of "the worst aggression" ever against Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Senator Lee said there is no further military action planned against Venezuela following Maduro’s capture, citing Secretary Rubio.
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