Early on Saturday morning, television channels provided special reports on how explosions were heard in Caracas. Venezuelawhat kind of president Donald Trump later confirmed that there had been a “large-scale strike” in the country and that its leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and taken out of the country.
Trump, who was at Mar-a-Lago on vacation, posted at 4:21 a.m. ET: “The United States of America successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who was captured and removed from the country along with his wife. This operation was carried out in cooperation with US law enforcement. More details later. Today at 11 a.m. at Mar-a-Lago press conference. Thank you for your attention to this issue! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Peter Alexander of NBC News anchored the NBC News special report from 4 a.m. ET until 6:45 a.m. ET, then became anchor. Saturday todaywith Laura Jarrett.
ABC News' Alison Kosik provided a special report at 5 a.m., noting that “there were scenes of multiple explosions and low-flying aircraft” starting at about 2 a.m. local time.
The strikes may have been a surprise in their timing, but not that they were carried out as media attention focused on the intensifying US military campaign to pressure Maduro. But it also raises questions about Trump's authority to carry out strikes without congressional authorization.
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) wrote on X: “I look forward to seeing what could constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force.” He later wrote that he had a conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “He informed me that Nicolas Maduro was arrested by US personnel to face trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and protect those executing the arrest warrant. This action likely falls within the inherent powers of the President under Article II of the Constitution to protect US personnel from actual or imminent attack.”
More to come.
