In a broadcast message early Saturday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro denounced the U.S. actions against his nation as an “assault on Venezuela’s sovereignty,” following military strikes by the U.S. across the country.

His statement preceded an announcement from President Donald Trump, who confirmed that both Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, had been “detained and transported out of Venezuela” subsequent to a “comprehensive military operation” by U.S. forces. This was followed by Attorney General Pam Bondi revealing that the Venezuelan leaders faced charges, including conspiracy linked to narco-terrorism.

During a broadcast on national television and radio, Maduro accused U.S. troops of targeting both civilian and military locations in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and in the regions of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, as reported by The Miami Herald.

Maduro, flanked by military and government officials, declared, “This represents an attack on the sovereignty of Venezuela. It is a maneuver to instigate a colonial war and enforce political change through violence.”

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, right, is seen conferring with Qi Xiaoqi, a special envoy of President Xi Jinping, in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 2, 2026. (Presidency of Venezuela/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Maduro also described the U.S. actions as a “grave military aggression” and violation of the United Nations charter, adding that it threatened peace across Latin America and the Caribbean, The Miami Herald reported. 

The U.S. has been carrying out a military campaign against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific in recent months. 

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses supporters during a rally marking the anniversary of the 19th-century Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 10, 2025.  (Pedro Rances Mattey/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Maduro’s government cast the U.S. strikes on Saturday as part of a larger American effort to seize Venezuela’s oil and mineral reserves, according to The Miami Herald. 

The newspaper reported that state TV broadcast images of Venezuelan soldiers deploying to strategic infrastructure and officials holding emergency meetings. 

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses members of the armed forces, Bolivarian Militia, police and civilians during a rally against a possible escalation of U.S. actions toward the country at Fort Tiuna military base in Caracas, Venezuela, Nov. 25, 2025.  (Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters)

As part of Maduro’s response, he signed a decree that declared a nationwide state of “external disturbance,” which gives his government sweeping powers during emergencies, including mobilizing security forces and limiting certain civil liberties, The Miami Herald added.