Trump Claims Maduro, Wife Captured, Headed to New York

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been captured by US forces and are being taken to New York to face charges.

In an interview, Trump said the couple had been indicted in New York and were being transported by air and sea following what he described as a carefully planned operation. He alleged that Maduro was responsible for the deaths of many people, including American citizens.

According to Trump, the operation had been prepared earlier but was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions. He said the mission was launched once conditions improved, adding that US forces encountered a heavily fortified location during the raid. Trump claimed no US personnel were killed, though a small number were injured and are now in stable condition.

Trump also said he had spoken with Maduro about a week before the operation and urged him to surrender. When that did not happen, he said US forces carried out what he described as a “surgical and powerful” action.

He added that Washington would now take a stronger role in Venezuela’s oil sector, saying the operation sent a message that the United States would no longer tolerate drug trafficking or threats to its interests.

Commenting on Venezuela’s political future, Trump said the US would review its position regarding opposition leader María Corina Machado and again questioned the legitimacy of Maduro’s election.

US officials later said Maduro and his wife had been indicted in the Southern District of New York. The charges against Maduro reportedly include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons-related offences. No specific charges against Flores were detailed.

Senior US officials praised the operation, describing it as a major success and commending the forces involved. Trump earlier said further details would be shared at a press briefing later in the day.