Early Saturday, the United States launched coordinated air strikes on military and civilian targets across several Venezuelan states, including Caracas. US President Donald Trump claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country in a "large scale" American operation. Trump described the operation as "brilliant" and promised further details in a news conference at Mar-a-Lago. Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López said missiles and rockets from US combat helicopters hit urban areas and the Fort Tiuna military complex in Caracas. He called the attack "the greatest outrage" Venezuela has faced and vowed resistance against foreign troops. Maduro declared a nationwide state of emergency, ordered national defence plans, and called for "mass mobilisation" to confront the assault. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded proof that Maduro and his wife are alive. Caracas described the attacks as "criminal military aggression" driven by US "greed for our strategic resources." This military action follows months of US buildup near South America, including deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier and multiple strikes on boats said to be carrying drugs. The US justifies the strikes as part of an "armed conflict" against drug cartels. The European Union and Russia urged restraint, respect for international law, and condemned the reported violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro also condemned the US aggression and warned it threatens regional peace and stability. The tense situation marks a sharp escalation in US-Venezuela relations amid accusations and long-standing disputes over control of Venezuela's vast oil reserves.