Venezuela says 80 killed in US military operation to capture Maduro
Venezuelan officials report at least 80 people were killed during the US military operation that captured President Nicolas Maduro, with the death toll potentially rising. The casualties reportedly included a large portion of the president's security detail.
The human cost of the US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has escalated significantly, with Caracas now reporting at least 80 fatalities. According to a report in The New York Times on Sunday, citing a senior Venezuelan official, the death toll could rise further as assessments continue.
Senior Official Confirms High Casualty Count
The report provides the first specific casualty figure from the Venezuelan side following the dramatic weekend raid. Earlier, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino had stated that "a large part" of President Maduro's security team was killed during the operation but did not provide a precise number. The high death toll underscores the intensity of the military action undertaken by US forces on Venezuelan soil to apprehend the sitting head of state.
US President Trump Claims Success and Vows Control
US President Donald Trump confirmed that the operation resulted in the successful capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. In his remarks, Trump pledged that the United States would assert control over Venezuela for the time being, stating that US troops would remain in the country if necessary to ensure stability. This declaration points toward a potential extended US military and political intervention in the South American nation.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Political Crisis
Maduro and his wife were flown to New York late Saturday and are currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. They are scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday to face US charges related to drug trafficking and alleged cooperation with designated terrorist organizations. Maduro denies all charges, and his government in Caracas has demanded the couple's immediate release. The operation has plunged Venezuela into a profound leadership and constitutional crisis, with the potential for severe regional instability and strong condemnation from US adversaries and non-aligned nations, including partners like Türkiye.
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