Maduro issued statement as US military strikes in Venezuela began: report

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reportedly made a statement on television and radio early on Saturday, as the US began its attacks on his country, describing them as “an attack against the sovereignty of Venezuela”.

These remarks came before President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been “captured and taken out of the country” following a “large-scale attack” by the US military. Attorney General Pam Bondi later said Maduro and Flores were indicted on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy.

In statements broadcast on state television and radio, Maduro claimed that US forces attacked civilian and military areas in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, as well as in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. Miami Herald.

“This is an attack against Venezuela’s sovereignty,” Maduro reportedly said as he stood with military and government officials. “This is an attempt to impose a colonial war and force political change through violence.”

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Maduro called the US actions a “serious military aggression” and a violation of the United Nations charter, adding that it threatened peace in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Miami Herald reported.

The United States has been waging a military campaign against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific in recent months.

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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses his supporters at a rally commemorating the anniversary of the 19th century Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 10, 2025. (Pedro Rances Mattey/Anadolu via Getty Images))

Maduro’s government carried out the U.S. strikes on Saturday as part of a larger U.S. effort to seize Venezuela’s oil and mineral reserves, according to The Miami Herald.

The newspaper reported that state television broadcast images of Venezuelan soldiers deployed to strategic infrastructure and officials holding an emergency meeting.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addressed members of the armed forces, Bolivarian Militias, police and civilians during a rally held at the Fort Tiuna military base in Caracas, Venezuela, against the possibility of increased US actions against the country, on November 25, 2025. (Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters)

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The Miami Herald added that as part of his response, Maduro also signed a decree declaring a state of “external disturbance” across the country, giving his government broad powers, including mobilizing security forces in emergencies and limiting some civil liberties.