Main points
- Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured following a “large scale” US strike on the country.
- US president Donald Trump said the US would “run” Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition”.
- Venezuela’s government declared a state of emergency and said the US attacked civilian and military installations in multiple states.
- Mr Maduro and his wife are being transported to New York to face drugs and terror charges.
Key reads
- Who is Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s president?
- Why has the US attacked Caracas and captured Venezuela’s president?
- Latin American leaders are split over the US action against Maduro
That’s all for our live coverage today. Follow irishtimes.com for further updates on the US strike and capture of Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro and his wife across the weekend.
US president Donald Trump Trump also addressed the future of Maduro’s number two, vice-president Delcy Rodriguez.
He said the Secretary of State Marco Rubio was “working on that directly”.
“He’s just had a conversation with her and she’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again,” Mr Trump said.
In relation to Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela’s opposition leader who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, he said “I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader”.
“She doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect,” he said.
Cuba is something we’ll end up talking about, says Trump
US president Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also also asked about whether tensions might follow with Cuba.
“I think Cuba is going to be something we’ll end up talking about because Cuba is a failing nation right now, very badly failing nation,” Mr Trump said. “And we want to help the people. It’s very similar in the sense that we want to help the people in Cuba.”
Mr Rubio said: “Look, if I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I’d be concerned, at least a little bit,” Rubio said.
Mr Trump also said Colombian president Gustavo Petro should “watch his ass”.
“He’s making cocaine and they’re sending it into the United States, so he does have to watch his ass,” Mr Trump said.
Mr Petro described the US actions as an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America and said they would result in a humanitarian crisis.
When asked by reporters how the US administration of Venezuela will work, Mr Trump said “we’re going to be running it with a group and we’re going to make sure it’s run properly”.
When pressed for further details, Mr Trump said: “It’s all being done right now. We’re designating people. We’re talking to people. We’re designating, various people. And we’re going to let you know who those people are.”
The US president also said he was “not afraid” of having American boots on the ground if needed.
“We have to have, we had boots on the ground last night, at a very high level actually. We’re not afraid of it,” he said.
Operation should serve as warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives - Donald Trump
US president Donald Trump said he will never allow terrorists and criminals to operate with impunity against the United States.
“This extremely successful operation should serve as a warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives,” he told the press conference in Florida.
Trump says ‘we’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition’
US president Donald Trump has said “we’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition”.
“We want peace, liberty and justice for the great people of Venezuela, and that includes many from Venezuela that are now living in the United States and want to go back to their country. It’s their homeland,” he told a press conference in Florida.
“We can’t take a chance at somebody else taking over Venezuela that doesn’t have the good of the Venezuelan people in mind. We’ve had decades of that. We’re not going to let that happen.”
Mr Trump said the oil business in Venezuela has been “a total bust” for a long period of time. “They were pumping almost nothing by comparison to what they could have been pumping and what could have taken place,” he said.
“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country.”
Mr Trump said Nicolás Maduro and his wife will soon face the “full might of American justice” and stand trial on American soil.
“Right now they’re on a ship, they’ll ultimately be heading to New York,” he added.
It was an assault like people have not seen since World War Two, says US president Donald Trump
US president Donald Trump has said late on Friday night and early Saturday, at his direction, American’s armed forces conducted “an extraordinary military operation” in the capital of Venezuela.
“Air, land and sea was used to launch a spectacular assault. And it was an assault like people have not seen since World War Two,” he has told a press conference in Florida.
“This was one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history.”
Mr Trump said Venezuelan military capacities were “rendered powerless”.
“As the men and women of our military working with US law enforcement successfully captured Maduro in the dead of night,” he said.
Mr Trump said Nicolás Maduro and his wife now faced justice in the US.
President Trump has also posted a picture on social media of captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.
US president Donald Trump has just begun a press conference in Florida, you can watch here.
Last night’s events represent a ‘dangerous escalation’ and will create significant instability in the region - Social Democrats
The Irish Government must unequivocally condemn the US military actions in Venezuela, which clearly “undermine international law and will further heighten global tensions”, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson.
“Following recent attacks on Venezuelan vessels by US forces under the guise of anti-drug operations, last night’s kidnapping of Maduro represents a dangerous escalation and will create significant instability in the region,” she said.
“Rather than being a force for peace, President Trump’s aggression will add to geopolitical risks in a world already riven by multiple conflicts.
“President Maduro’s regime is responsible for brutal human rights violations and the erosion of key democratic pillars. However, extrajudicial kidnapping and carrying out air strikes on Venezuelan territory, in flagrant breach of international law and putting civilian lives at risk, is utterly unacceptable.”
The full implications of the US raid that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro are still to emerge, writes Tom Hennigan in São Paulo. Maduro and his wife are reportedly in US custody but his leftist chavista regime appears to remain in control of the country.
Whether the Trump administration will be satisfied by the capture of Maduro while leaving his allies in charge of the oil-rich nation remains to be seen.
The debate about what to do next could yet expose differences between its isolationist wing and the anti-communists led by secretary of state Marco Rubio.
His animosity against chavismo is driven by its alliance with the communist regime in Cuba, whose toppling is the decades-long goal of the Cuban exile community in Florida of whom Rubio is the leading figure.
In Caracas the immediate questions are whether there will be further US attacks and if the regime can survive the capture of its leader.
Chavismo’s capacity to dig in and endure should not be underestimated, but this is the most severe test it has faced since the 2002 coup attempt against the movement’s founder Hugo Chávez.
But even if chavismo can stabilise around a new leader its willingness to risk ongoing US animosity for the sake of its Cuban ally might now be tested.
An accommodation built around some agreement on oil could buy chavismo a new lease of life. But should this also see Caracas abandon Havana the communist island would see one of its last remaining economic lifelines cut, potentially accelerating the country’s ongoing economic collapse.
For the western hemisphere Saturday’s raid - an unprecedented US operation on South American soil - confirms the Trump administration’s full-throated revival of the Monroe Doctrine.
This has been met by horror in many regional capitals who reject its claims to a regional policing power for Washington. But the new right’s advance across Latin America means other leaders greeted the raid, exposing the region’s deep ideological faultlines to the political benefit of President Trump.
Trump says US will be very much involved in next steps for Venezuela
The United States is now deciding next steps for Venezuela, president Donald Trump has told Fox News, adding: “We’ll be involved in it very much.”
“We can’t take a chance in letting somebody else run and just take over what he left, or left off,” Mr Trump said in the interview hours after the capture.
He said Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were aboard the US warship Iwo Jima and heading to New York, where they will face prosecution.
Mr Trump said the operation in Venezuela “wasn’t meant to be” a message to Mexico, but then he has proposed to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum that the US “take out” cartels in her country and suggested the US might take action.
“We’re very friendly with her, she’s a good woman. But the cartels are running Mexico. She’s not running Mexico. The cartels are running Mexico,” Mr Trump said.
He said he has asked Ms Sheinbaum numerous times, “Would you like us to take out the cartels?” but she has said no.
“Something’s going to have to be done with Mexico,” Mr Trump said.
US vice-president JD Vance said in a statement on X: “The president offered multiple off ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States. Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says.
“Kudos to our brave special operators who pulled off a truly impressive operation.”
The Venezuelan government has described America’s actions as an “imperialist attack” and urged citizens to take to the streets.
Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernandez told The Associated Press that Mr Maduro and his wife were at their home within the Fort Tiuna military installation when they were captured.
“That’s where they bombed,” he said. “And there, they carried out what we could call a kidnapping of the president and the first lady of the country.”
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were taken to a ship after their capture by US forces and will be transported to New York, US president Donald Trump has told Fox News.
It is vital world upholds and strengthens multilateral agencies and processes, says Green Party
The Green Party has condemned the “unilateral and illegal action” of the US in attacking Venezuela.
The party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, councillor Janet Horner, said the most pressing humanitarian issue is the welfare of people in Venezuela and to protect against violence and unrest in the country in response to the actions of the US
“We call for the EU and UN to use all diplomatic channels to negotiate a peaceful resolution and protect people, resources and democracy,” she said.
“Multilateral agencies and processes must be respected. While the US has chosen to ignore them, it is vital that the rest of the world uphold and strengthen them.
“It is deeply worrying that the US may be igniting another oil war - seeking to exert control over Venezuela’s oil reserve. Fossil fuel wars have wreaked havoc in the world in the first quarter of this century - they must not be allowed to continue.”
Ireland has consistently called for a peaceful and negotiated transition in Venezuela, says Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has said she has been in contact with EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas regarding the situation in Venezuela.
“I will remain in close contact with EU colleagues as the situation evolves,” she said.
“Ireland, together with our EU partners, underlines the absolute necessity of full respect for international law and the principles of the UN Charter.
“While we have been clear that President Maduro does not have any democratic legitimacy, we have consistently called for a peaceful and negotiated transition in Venezuela, and have supported all international efforts to that end.”
Ms McEntee said her department is monitoring the consular situation, in coordination with EU partners on the ground.
Irish Government must condemn US actions, says Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin’s national chairperson, Declan Kearney MLA, has condemned the overnight US violation against Venezuela.
Mr Kearney said the US assault against Venezuelan national sovereignty has serious and far-reaching repercussions for the primacy of the global rules based order and authority of the United Nations Charter.
“This US aggression is deeply destabilising for Venezuela and the wider Latin American and Caribbean region,” he said.
“It comes at a time when the illegal embargo against Cuba has intensified, and the American President is also threatening more unilateral military attacks in the Middle East and repeating threats against the sovereignty of Greenland.
“The illegal US removal of the Venezuelan President from office sits in marked contrast with its defiance of the International Criminal Court arrest warrants in the names of Israeli political leaders for genocidal crimes against the Palestinian people.”
Mr Kearney said the Irish government and global democracy must condemn the actions, and act to support “an urgent deescalation of political tensions in Venezuela, and the establishment of regional political stability and security”.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has said that Mr Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
She said the Venezuelan president has been charged with “Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States”.
“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” said Ms Bondi, but did not not say what his wife has been charged with.
“A huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers.”
British prime minister says UK was not involved in strikes and wants to speak with US president to find out ‘full facts’
British prime minister Keir Starmer has said his country was not involved in the United States’ strikes on Venezuela and that he wanted to speak with US president Donald Trump and find out the full facts of what had happened.
“I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved...and I always say and believe we should all uphold international law,” he said in a statement to British broadcasters.
World leaders react to US attacks
Russia’s foriegn ministry has said the United States committed an act of armed aggression against Venezuela, which was “deeply concerning and condemnable”.
“The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded. Ideological animosity has prevailed over business pragmatism and the willingness to build relationships based on trust and predictability,” it said.
“In the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue.”
It added that Latin America must remain a zone of peace, as it declared itself to be in 2014.
“And Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside.”
“We support the statement by the Venezuelan authorities and the leaders of Latin American countries calling for an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.”
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric has said it also expresses its concern and condemnation of the military actions of the United States in Venezuela and called.
“Chile reaffirms its commitment to the basic principles of international law, such as the prohibition of the use of force, non-intervention, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the territorial integrity of States,” he said.
Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro said its government viewed with “deep concern” the reports of explosions and unusual air activity in recent hours in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as the resulting escalation of tension in the region.
“Colombia reaffirms its unconditional commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, in particular respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the prohibition of the use or threat of use of force, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes,” he said.
“In this regard, the Colombian Government rejects any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put the civilian population at risk.”
EU is monitoring situation and calls for restraint
Kaja Kallas, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and vice-president of the European Commission, said she has spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the ambassador in Caracas.
“The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela,” she said.
“The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.
“The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority.”
British MP and leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage has said the American actions in Venezuela overnight were unorthodox and contrary to international law, but “if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing”.
“I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro,” he said.
US attacks on Venezuela mark major international crisis, says Labour Party
Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith has condemned the United States’ attacks on Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
Mr Smith has called for immediate action in New York and Dublin to halt the violence, uphold international law and secure their safe return.
“What we are witnessing in Caracas is a situation that demands urgent global action,” he said.
“We are seeing actions by one of the world’s most powerful states that beggar belief.
“The flagrancy with which the United States has acted in Venezuela has shocked the world and undermines the very foundations of international cooperation and respect for sovereign nations.
“President Donald Trump needs to end the attacks on Venezuela and return President Maduro and Cilia Flores to their country immediately.
“The United States, under President Trump, seems intent on perpetual conflict despite his repeated talks of peace. Words matter, but they must be backed up by actions that uphold peace and international norms.”
The Dublin Fingal-East TD said Ireland should call for emergency meetings of both the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly so that a ceasefire and a plan for cooperation can be put in place without delay.
“As a nation committed to peace, Ireland must not stand on the sidelines,” he added.
Who is Nicolás Maduro?
Nicolás Maduro was born into a working-class family on November 23, 1962, son of a trade union leader.
He worked as a bus driver during the time army officer Hugo Chavez led a failed coup attempt in 1992.
He campaigned for Mr Chavez’s release from prison and became a fervent supporter of his leftist agenda. He won a seat in the legislature following Mr Chavez’s 1998 election.
He rose to become president of the National Assembly and then foreign minister, travelling the globe to build international alliances through oil-financed assistance programmes.
Mr Chavez named him as his hand-picked successor and Mr Maduro was narrowly elected president in 2013 following his death.
His administration oversaw a spectacular economic collapse characterised by hyperinflation and chronic shortages. His rule became best known for allegedly rigged elections, food shortages and rights abuses, including harsh crackdowns on protests in 2014 and 2017. Millions of Venezuelans emigrated abroad.
His government was subject to aggressive sanctions by the US and other powers. In 2020 Washington indicted him on corruption and other charges. Mr Maduro rejected the accusations.
He was sworn in for a third term in January 2025 following a 2024 election that was widely condemned by international observers and the opposition as fraudulent. Thousands of people who protested the government’s declaration of victory were jailed.
A UN fact-finding mission found last month that the country’s Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) committed serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity over more than a decade in targeting political opponents, often with impunity.
His government’s repressive measures were highlighted by the award of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Irish Government must immediately and unequivocally condemn attack, says People Before Profit
People Before Profit has denounced the attack and called for the Irish Government to condemn the US and demand the release of Mr Maduro.
The party’s Dublin South-West TD Paul Murphy said it was a “blatant imperialist attack” by the US on Venezuela - “the latest in a long history of US violence in Latin America”.
“The claimed kidnapping of President Maduro and his wife is a brazen violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and a war crime. The US is clearly a terrorist state,” he said.
“This is a violent grab for oil, natural resources and power. Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves and that is the central reason for this latest US attack. The US must stop its assault and must release President Maduro.
“The Irish Government must immediately and unequivocally condemn this blatant US violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and demand the release of President Maduro.
“People Before Profit supports the resistance of the people of Venezuela and calls for mobilisations in Ireland and across the world to oppose this US imperialist intervention.
“We say, hands off Venezuela.”
US president Donald Trump has repeatedly promised land operations in Venezuela, amid efforts to pressure president Nicolás Maduro to leave office, including expanded sanctions, a ramped-up US military presence in the region and more than two dozen strikes on vessels allegedly involved in trafficking drugs in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Mr Maduro had said in a pre-taped interview aired on Thursday that the US wants to force a government change in Venezuela and gain access to its vast oil reserves through the months-long pressure campaign that began with a massive military deployment to the Caribbean Sea in August.
Mr Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism in the US. The CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels in what was the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the US began strikes on boats in September.
Mr Trump had threatened for months that he could soon order strikes on targets on Venezuelan land.
Good morning. US president Donald Trump has said Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured after the US conducted a “large-scale strike” on the country.
“This operation was done in conjunction with US law enforcement. Details to follow,” the US president wrote on social media this morning after eyewitnesses in Venezuela reported a series of explosions.
Venezuela’s government said the United States attacked its civilian and military installations in multiple states after at least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard early on Saturday in the capital Caracas.
Mr Maduro earlier declared a state of emergency and called on “political and social forces” to reject the attacks, according to the statement.
Mr Trump ordered the strikes on sites in Venezuela, a CBS reporter cited US officials as saying.
Follow irishtimes.com for updates throughout the day.
