Venezuela VP Says Contact Lost With Maduro, Demands Proof of Life From US

Venezuela's political crisis escalated sharply on Saturday after Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were unknown following alleged US military attacks across multiple regions of the country. Her remarks came amid claims from US media outlets and US President Donald Trump that the two had been detained and removed from Venezuela during a large-scale military operation.

Speaking by phone to state broadcaster Venezolana de Televisión, Rodríguez said contact with Maduro and Flores had been lost after the reported strikes. She accused the United States of carrying out an assault on Venezuela's sovereignty and demanded that Washington provide proof that both leaders were alive.

"This is a direct aggression against the Venezuelan state," Rodríguez said, holding the US responsible for what she described as a grave and unprecedented escalation.

Reports of attacks across multiple regions

According to Venezuelan officials, the alleged US attacks occurred during the early hours of Saturday and affected several strategic areas, including Caracas and the neighbouring states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. State media showed footage from parts of the capital where security forces were deployed as authorities assessed possible damage and attempted to stabilise the situation.

Residents in Caracas reported hearing loud explosions overnight, with some areas experiencing brief disruptions as emergency services responded. The full extent of the reported damage remained unclear, with officials saying investigations were ongoing.

Venezuela's daily newspaper El Nacional, citing information attributed to Fox News sources, reported that the operation involved US special forces supported by Chinook helicopters, indicating a complex and coordinated mission rather than limited airstrikes.

Trump claims capture of Maduro and Flores

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that the United States had carried out a "large-scale strike" against Venezuela. In his post, Trump claimed that Maduro and Flores had been captured and flown out of the country, stating that the operation was conducted in coordination with US law enforcement agencies.

Trump added that further details would be shared during a scheduled news conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence. US media reports suggested that elite US military units were involved, though no official confirmation was issued by the Pentagon at the time.

El Nacional reported, citing unnamed US administration officials, that Trump had approved the operation days earlier, following months of increased US naval and military activity near Venezuelan waters.

Caracas urges mobilisation, seeks confirmation

In response to the claims, Rodríguez called on Venezuelans to organise in defence of the state, urging what she described as a "civic-military fusion" to protect national sovereignty. Officials framed the reported US action as part of Washington's long-standing efforts to force Maduro from power after years of sanctions, diplomatic pressure and public calls for regime change.

Despite the strong rhetoric, Venezuelan authorities acknowledged that they had not received independent confirmation of Maduro's location or the status of Flores. The uncertainty has intensified tensions within the country, as conflicting narratives from US political leaders, American media and Venezuelan officials continue to circulate.

As Caracas presses for proof of life and Washington stands by its claims, the standoff has entered a volatile phase, raising fears of further instability both within Venezuela and across the wider region.