Maduro gave state TV address as US strikes in Venezuela began: report

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reportedly made a connection connected tv and power early Saturday arsenic nan U.S. strikes against his state unfolded, describing them arsenic an "attack against nan sovereignty of Venezuela." 

The remarks came earlier President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were "captured and flown retired of nan country" pursuing a "large standard strike" carried retired by nan U.S. military. Attorney General Pam Bondi later said Maduro and Flores were indicted connected charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy. 

In comments aired connected authorities tv and radio, Maduro alleged that U.S. forces attacked civilian and subject sites successful Venezuela’s superior of Caracas, arsenic good arsenic nan states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, according to The Miami Herald.

"This is an onslaught against nan sovereignty of Venezuela," Maduro reportedly said arsenic he stood alongside subject and authorities officials. "It is an effort to enforce a assemblage warfare and unit governmental alteration by violence."

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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, right, meets pinch Qi Xiaoqi, Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping, successful Caracas, Venezuela, connected Jan. 2, 2026.  (Presidency of Venezuela/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Maduro besides described nan U.S. actions arsenic a "grave subject aggression" and violation of nan United Nations charter, adding that it threatened bid crossed Latin America and nan Caribbean, The Miami Herald reported. 

The U.S. has been carrying retired a subject run against alleged drug-trafficking boats successful nan Caribbean and Eastern Pacific successful caller months. 

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

Maduro’s authorities formed nan U.S. strikes connected Saturday arsenic portion of a larger American effort to prehend Venezuela’s lipid and mineral reserves, according to The Miami Herald. 

The newspaper reported that authorities TV broadcasted images of Venezuelan soldiers deploying to strategical infrastructure and officials holding emergency meetings. 

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro addresses members of nan equipped forces, Bolivarian Militia, police, and civilians during a rally against a imaginable escalation of U.S. actions toward nan country, astatine Fort Tiuna subject guidelines successful Caracas, Venezuela, connected Nov. 25, 2025.  (Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters)

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As portion of Maduro’s response, he besides signed a decree that declared a nationwide authorities of "external disturbance," which gives his authorities sweeping powers during emergencies, including mobilizing information forces and limiting definite civilian liberties, The Miami Herald added.