U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been in power for over 12 years, has been captured by U.S. military forces and flown out of Venezuela. The reports have not yet been independently verified.

Maduro, a former foreign minister and vice president under the late Hugo Chávez, has led Venezuela since 2013 and is a central figure in the country’s prolonged political, economic, and diplomatic crisis.

He is known for maintaining strong strategic ties with China, Russia, and Iran, positioning Venezuela firmly against U.S. influence in Latin America. Washington has for years accused Maduro’s government of systematic human rights abuses, democratic backsliding, and alleged involvement in drug trafficking, accusations consistently denied by Caracas.

As of this writing, no official confirmation has been issued by the Venezuelan government, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the White House. State media in Venezuela has also not acknowledged the reports, while social media platforms are awash with unverified videos and claims.

If confirmed, such a development would mark an unprecedented escalation in U.S.–Venezuela relations and could have far-reaching implications for regional stability, global energy markets, and great-power geopolitics.

UG Diplomat is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more verified information becomes available.