US President Donald Trump’s administration claimed that it had conducted a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela early Saturday morning, culminating in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. They were reportedly being transported to face criminal charges in the US.

Witnesses reported at least seven explosions in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, around 4:30 AM on Saturday. The attack lasted less than 30 minutes. Casualty reports were not immediately available.

The US Federal Aviation Administration banned US commercial flights over Venezuelan airspace because of “ongoing military activity.” President Trump stated that additional details are to come on the matter, and that he will hold a news conference at 11:00 AM.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez condemned the act, stating it constitutes a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and threatens international peace and stability. Vice President Rodríguez also said that her government does not know the whereabouts of President Maduro and First Lady Flores, demanding that the US government provide “proof of life.”

Maduro and Flores will reportedly face criminal charges. In 2020, Maduro and 14 other government officials were indicted in the Southern District of New York for what then-US Attorney General William Barr said was conspiring with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and “causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities.”

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the attack and capture of Maduro marks “[a] new dawn for Venezuela,” boasting: “The tyrant is gone.”

Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it called a US “act of armed aggression,” stating that “Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, outside intervention.” Russia also backed calls for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

US Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted his concerns on X, stating, “I look forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force.”

This morning’s attacks come after a long series of attacks on Venezuelan boats by the US military. As of Friday, the number of known boat strikes was 35, and the number of people killed was at least 115, according to the Trump administration. Tensions have steadily built between the two nations. The US announced sanctions against four oil companies operating in Venezuela on Wednesday. There have also been legal disputes over due process for Venezuelan migrants and allegations that Venezuelans who were deported to El Salvador by the US were tortured.