US Strikes Venezuela, Captures Maduro

The United States launched a large-scale military strike against Venezuela, targeting its capital Venezuela — Caracas and other cities, including military complexes and airbases. US President Donald Trump announced that US forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following the strikes. Venezuela's government condemned the action as 'extremely serious military aggression' and declared a state of emergency. This escalation follows months of increasing military and economic pressure from the United States, including sanctions, airspace closures, and seizures of oil tankers, all under the guise of combating drug trafficking. Neighboring Colombia, led by Gustavo Petro, condemned the strikes and deployed troops to its border with Venezuela, calling for an emergency United Nations meeting. Russia, Iran, and Cuba also condemned the US actions. The United States has accused Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug cartel, while Venezuela maintains that the US seeks to overthrow him to gain access to its oil reserves.