President Donald Trump has posted a photo of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in U.S. custody aboard the USS Iwo Jima after a dramatic U.S. military operation that struck Venezuelan territory and resulted in Maduro’s capture, Trump announced Saturday.
In the image shared on Truth Social, Maduro appears blindfolded and handcuffed, wearing protective ear gear and civilian clothing while being held on the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship in the Caribbean.
Trump described the operation as highly effective, saying the U.S. carried out a “large-scale strike” and that Maduro and his wife were flown out of Venezuela to face justice in the United States.
The military action, reportedly involving elite forces and airstrikes on key Venezuelan military sites, marks a significant escalation in U.S. involvement in the region and drew immediate global reaction.
Venezuelan authorities have condemned what they describe as an illegal assault and are demanding proof of life for the detained couple.
President Trump also indicated that the U.S. will play a central role in Venezuela’s transition and hinted at future involvement in the country’s oil industry.
