US military operation captures Venezuelan leader Maduro, sparking regional tensions

A US military operation captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The operation involved a raid and airstrikes, with reports of a secret weapon being used and dozens of Venezuelan and Cuban soldiers killed.

Following the capture, the US CIA director met with Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, in Caracas. The US also warned its citizens to leave Venezuela immediately and carried out a strike on an alleged drug boat. A US Senate effort to limit military action in Venezuela was blocked.

Venezuela's government reported approximately 100 fatalities from the raid. Cuba received the remains of soldiers killed during the operation. Legal memos provided the basis for the mission, which the Venezuelan attorney general called an act of war.