Republican Senator from Utah, Mike Lee, announced on Saturday that Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, has been apprehended by U.S. personnel and will stand trial in the United States on criminal charges.
This statement came shortly after Venezuelan Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, admitted on social media platform X that the whereabouts of Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores are currently unknown.
"I just spoke with Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been detained by U.S. personnel to face criminal charges in the country," Lee posted.
The senator noted that the military operation targeting Caracas and other regions in Venezuela was executed to safeguard those enforcing the arrest warrant against the Chavista leader.
Lee further stated that this action "likely falls under presidential authority as outlined in Article II of the U.S. Constitution," granting the president power to protect U.S. personnel from actual or imminent threats.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government maintains it has been unable to contact the president and has demanded "immediate proof of life" for both Maduro and his wife.
Rodríguez condemned the events as "an unprecedented imperial aggression" and held the Donald Trump administration accountable, describing the situation as "a kidnapping."
The U.S. assault, confirmed by Trump himself on Truth Social, resulted in multiple explosions across Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.
The situation in Venezuela remains unstable, marked by power outages, reports of bombings in military areas, and a national emergency declaration. So far, Washington has not provided evidence concerning the Venezuelan leader's detention.
Key Questions on Nicolás Maduro's Arrest and U.S. Involvement
What charges is Nicolás Maduro facing in the United States?
Nicolás Maduro is set to face criminal charges in the United States, although the specific charges have not yet been disclosed.
How has the Venezuelan government responded to Maduro's arrest?
The Venezuelan government has been unable to contact Maduro and has demanded immediate proof of life, while condemning the arrest as an act of imperial aggression.
What impact has the arrest had on Venezuela?
The arrest has led to instability in Venezuela, with power outages, reports of military bombings, and a national emergency being declared.