Venezuela labels US actions "kidnapping" after Trump announces Maduro’s capture

The Venezuelan authorities have warned that the United States will be held accountable for any harm to President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, according to a statement by Attorney General Tarek William Saab, quoted by Russian media.

In his address, Saab demanded an end to the actions against the Venezuelan leader and characterised the situation involving the president as a “kidnapping.”

The statement came amid reports of US military operations in Venezuela in the early hours of January 3. During the operation, US forces struck several targets across the country, including military installations. Residents of Caracas reported explosions and temporary power outages at the time.

Following the operation, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States had carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and confirmed that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured.

Trump has repeatedly warned in the past that Washington was preparing new measures targeting what it describes as drug trafficking networks operating in Venezuela.

By Tamilla Hasanova