A dramatic escalation unfolded in the Americas after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out a major military operation in Venezuela, claiming the detention of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife following overnight strikes.

According to Trump’s statement on social media, the operation began in the early hours of Saturday and involved coordinated action with US law enforcement agencies. He asserted that Maduro and his spouse were taken into custody and moved out of Venezuela, adding that further details would be shared during a scheduled press briefing later in the day at his Mar-a-Lago residence.

Reports from Venezuela described a tense night as multiple explosions were heard across Caracas, with residents in several neighborhoods reporting power disruptions and heavy security movement. Venezuelan authorities said the strikes were not limited to the capital, alleging that locations in Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira states were also hit.

Reacting swiftly, the Venezuelan government declared a nationwide emergency. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino condemned the action as a direct foreign assault, accusing the United States of targeting both military installations and civilian areas. In a video address, he said Venezuela would oppose what he described as an unlawful intervention and vowed resistance against the presence of foreign forces on Venezuelan soil.

While the Pentagon has not issued a detailed public response, US aviation authorities moved to restrict civilian air traffic. The Federal Aviation Administration announced a temporary suspension of US commercial flights over Venezuelan airspace, citing ongoing military activity and safety concerns.

International reactions began to surface as the situation developed. South Korea confirmed it had activated emergency protocols to safeguard its citizens in Venezuela, with officials indicating that evacuation plans are being readied should conditions deteriorate further.