BBC News
Summary
- Donald Trump says the US launched strikes on Venezuela and captured its President Nicolás Maduro
- Maduro and his wife landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York state before being taken by helicopter to Manhattan; Trump earlier shared a photo of Maduro blindfolded on board the USS Iwo Jima
- President Trump says the US is going to "run" Venezuela "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition"
- Some in Venezuela believe that Trump isn't serious about shoring up Venezuela for a democratic future, but rather to plunder its oil wealth, writes Tom Bateman
- In an address on state television, Venezuela's Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez says Maduro is the country's only president
- Maduro has been indicted in New York on drugs and weapons charges. He has previously denied being the leader of a drug cartel
- Venezuela has declared a national emergency, denouncing "extremely serious military aggression"
What charges does Maduro face?
Olga Fedorova/EPAUS Attorney General Pam Bondi has said that the Venezuelan president and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
The pair have been charged with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the US.
According to US media reports, the booking process for the couple has already begun.
Biometrics, fingerprints and mugshots would have to be taken before their information can be entered into the US Customs and Border Protection system.
The couple will also have had to undergo medical checks ahead of their transportation to the Drug Enforcement Agency's office in New York City, where they will be booked again.
Maduro and his wife will then be arraigned, which could happen as soon as Monday.
You can stay up to date on what we know here, or follow along as we bring you live updates.
Where did the US strike Venezuela?
BBC Verify is working through a number of videos showing explosions, fire and smoke in locations around Caracas to identify exactly which sites were targeted during the operation to capture Maduro.
It has confirmed five locations, so far:
- Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base, an airfield known as La Carlota
- Fuerte Tiuna, a key military facility in Caracas
- Port La Guaira, Caracas' main conduit to the Caribbean Sea, located in Miranda state
- Higuerote Airport, also located in Miranda state, just east of Caracas
- Antenas El Volcan, a telecomms towers on Cerro El Volcan, a high peak in Miranda state
Van thought to be carrying Maduro leaves heliport
Jeenah Moon/ReutersA van believed to be carrying the Venezuelan president Maduro and his wife has been photographed leaving the Westside Heliport,
It is expected to take them directly to the Drug Enforcement Agency's office in the city, which is a short drive away in Manhattan
Helicopter believed to be carrying Maduro touches down in Manhattan
Jeenah Moon/ReutersWe've now had pictures come through of three helicopters touching down in New York City - one believed to be carrying captured Venezuelan president Maduro and his wife.
The helicopters landed at the Westside Heliport in Manhattan.
Maduro will now be driven to the Drug Enforcement Agency's office in the city.
Latin American leaders split in reaction to Maduro's capture
ReutersPresident Lula da Silva of Brazil
Earlier, we brought you some reactions from countries in Latin America. Here's a bit more of the response from the region:
- Brazil: President Lula says US actions "cross an unacceptable line" and are "a most serious affront to Venezuela's sovereignty". He calls on the international community to "respond vigorously"
- Argentina: Trump ally President Javier Milei says "we celebrate the fall of the narco-terrorist dictator Maduro". Offering Argentina's help in the country's transition to new government, he says "there are no half-measures or shades of grey here" he adds. "You are either on the side of GOOD, or you are on the side of EVIL"
- Uruguay: Sharing an official statement, President Yamandú Orsi says he's monitoring developments "with attention and serious concern" and "rejects, as it always has, military intervention"
Maduro to be taken to Brooklyn detention centre
Now that Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has landed in New York, he will be flown by helicopter to the Westside Heliport in Manhattan and will be driven to the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s headquarters there for booking, according to US media reports.
From there, he will be taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he is expected to be held before facing drug and weapons charges in Manhattan federal court next week.
The notorious jail, commonly known as MDC, is known for handling many high-profile cases, including rapper R Kelly, Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and, most recently, Sean "Diddy" Combs.
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