On Saturday, the United States revealed that it had executed a significant military operation in Venezuela, detaining the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were subsequently transported out of Venezuela. President Donald Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, stating that the operation was carried out in collaboration with U.S. law enforcement.
According to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s social media post on platform X, Maduro and his wife have been indicted in New York. Venezuelans are anxiously awaiting further developments, while world leaders are keeping close contact with embassies to monitor the aftermath of the operation, which represents the largest U.S. intervention in Latin America since 1989.
As more details emerge, here are key facts about Maduro, who has been accused by the Trump administration of involvement in drug cartels and other criminal activities.
Maduro, born on November 23, 1962, into a working-class family, initially worked as a bus driver in the early 1990s. He gained prominence when he campaigned for the release of army officer Hugo Chávez after his failed coup against the Venezuelan government. Maduro aligned with Chávez’s leftist agenda and eventually rose through the political ranks, becoming Chávez’s chosen successor. Maduro narrowly won the presidential election in 2013 following Chávez’s passing.
During Maduro’s presidency, Venezuela experienced a severe economic collapse marked by hyperinflation and persistent shortages. His tenure was marred by allegations of electoral fraud, food scarcities, and human rights abuses, including harsh crackdowns on dissent in 2014 and 2017. The country witnessed a mass exodus of millions of its citizens, some of whom sought refuge in Canada.
In January 2025, Maduro was sworn in for a third term after a controversial 2024 election denounced as fraudulent by international observers and the opposition. Despite widespread condemnation, his victory was backed by Russia, Turkey, and China. Thousands of protesters who contested the election outcome were detained.
The Maduro administration has faced criticism for its repressive actions, with reports of serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity committed by the Bolivarian National Guard, a faction of the Venezuelan armed forces. The international community raised concerns about the government’s crackdown on dissent.
Maduro has been a target of stringent sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other nations. In 2020, he was indicted on corruption charges by Washington. Maduro, in turn, accused Trump of coveting Venezuelan oil. The U.S. and global leaders are questioning the legality of the recent operation, with Senator Mike Lee of Utah raising constitutional concerns about the lack of a formal declaration of war or military force authorization.
The detention of Maduro and his wife has elicited varied reactions worldwide, with ongoing debates about the legitimacy and implications of the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.
