Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, were captured by United States forces during a “large-scale” overnight military operation, US President Donald Trump announced early Saturday.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the operation resulted in Maduro and Flores being taken into custody and flown out of Venezuela.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump wrote.
“This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement. Details to follow.”
Airstrikes Reported Around Caracas
According to reports, Trump ordered airstrikes on military sites around Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, as part of the operation. At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were reported in the region beginning around 2 a.m. local time, amid sharply escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas.
Maduro, 63, has ruled Venezuela for 13 years and has been charged by the United States with narco-terrorism.
Just a day before the operation, Maduro met a special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the presidential palace in Caracas. The meeting was aimed at reaffirming Venezuela’s ties with China as relations with the United States deteriorated further.
Also Read: US Venezuela Conflict Explained: What Triggered The Latest Tension As Donald Trump Strikes Caracas
Who Is Nicolás Maduro? From Bus Driver to Venezuela’s Strongman
Born in Caracas in 1962, Nicolás Maduro emerged from a working-class background and began his career far from the corridors of power.
He started his working life as a bus driver and later became a metro union leader
His political rise accelerated as a close ally of Hugo Chávez
Served as Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2013, helping establish regional blocs such as ALBA and CELAC
Appointed Vice-President in 2012
Became interim president in 2013 following Chávez’s death
Won a narrowly contested election in 2013 and has remained in power since, amid repeated allegations of electoral fraud
Maduro’s rule has been marked by US and international sanctions, economic collapse, mass protests, and growing global isolation.
Before assuming the presidency, Maduro’s political journey in the early 2000s included key roles under Chávez as both foreign minister and vice-president.
Maduro’s Net Worth
Public estimates of Nicolás Maduro’s personal wealth vary widely and remain controversial due to limited financial transparency.
Most widely cited assessments suggest his declared wealth is relatively modest when compared with other leaders accused of large-scale corruption.
Reported Net Worth Estimates
Celebrity Net Worth estimates show Maduro has a net worth of $2 million, based on political earnings and publicly known assets
Yahoo Finance (2025) estimated his net worth as $2 million while Reality Tea estimates it as $1 million.
Maduro’s official presidential salary is estimated at approximately $4,000 per month. While modest by global standards, the position includes extensive state-provided perks, including official residences, transportation, and security.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
