On Saturday, the United States initiated a significant military operation in Venezuela resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, both of whom were subsequently evacuated from the country, as announced by U.S. President Donald Trump via his Truth Social platform. The operation was conducted in collaboration with U.S. Law Enforcement.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Maduro and his wife have been indicted in New York. Venezuelans are anxiously awaiting further developments, while several world leaders are coordinating with their embassies to monitor the aftermath of this intervention, marking the largest U.S. involvement in Latin America since 1989.
Maduro, accused by the Trump administration of involvement in drug cartels and other criminal activities, has had a notable political journey. Born into a working-class family on November 23, 1962, Maduro worked as a bus driver in the early 1990s. He actively supported the left-wing agenda of Hugo Chávez after the latter’s failed coup against the Venezuelan government, eventually securing a position in the legislature following Chávez’s election victory in 1998.
Chávez later designated Maduro as his successor, leading to Maduro’s election as president in 2013 after Chávez’s passing. Maduro’s tenure has been marred by severe economic collapse marked by hyperinflation, shortages, and allegations of election fraud, human rights abuses, and crackdowns on protests.
Maduro’s controversial administration saw millions of Venezuelans fleeing the country, including to Canada. Despite winning a third term in January 2025 in an election widely condemned as fraudulent, Maduro’s victory was supported by Russia, Turkey, and China. The government’s repressive actions, including human rights violations, have drawn international condemnation.
Maduro has faced sanctions and criminal charges, including accusations of corruption, from the U.S. and other nations. While Maduro has refuted these allegations and accused Trump of ulterior motives, questions regarding the legality of the recent military operation persist among U.S. and global politicians. Utah Senator Mike Lee, a Republican, expressed skepticism about the attack’s constitutional justification in the absence of a formal declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force.