U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela Sparks Global Outcry Amid Capture of President Maduro and Reported Death of Defense Minister

The international community has expressed profound shock and widespread condemnation following a large-scale U.S. military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as well as unconfirmed reports of the death of Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López.

President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces successfully conducted strikes on multiple targets in Caracas and surrounding areas, including military installations. In a statement, he confirmed the detention of Maduro and Flores, who were subsequently removed from the country to face narcoterrorism charges in the United States.

Amid the chaos, reports emerged alleging that U.S. forces targeted a key command facility—described in some accounts as the private residence of Defense Minister Padrino López in Caracas—leading to the high-ranking official’s death. However, these claims remain unverified, as Padrino López later appeared in public statements denouncing the intervention.

The nation’s stability is in grave jeopardy: Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has stated that authorities have no information on the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife following their abrupt capture by U.S. special operations forces. The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency, branding the action as unlawful aggression and a violation of national sovereignty.

These developments have intensified fears of escalating regional instability, drawing sharp criticism for undermining international norms and risking broader conflict in Latin America. Calls for restraint and dialogue have echoed across the globe as the crisis unfolds.