Caracas: Venezuela on Saturday announced a “massive deployment” of its military and security resources after the United States claimed it carried out a large-scale overnight strike and captured President Nicolás Maduro, triggering explosions across the capital and plunging the country into deep uncertainty.

Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López said the armed forces had been placed on maximum alert and deployed nationwide. Meanwhile, the Colombian President announced that country’s troops deployed to the Venezuela border.

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The government accused Washington of launching an “imperialist attack” on civilian and military installations and urged citizens to mobilise in defence of the country.

The announcement came hours after multiple explosions — at least seven by local accounts — were heard in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, with low-flying aircraft seen over the city. The apparent operation lasted less than 30 minutes, though it was not immediately clear whether there were casualties or if further action was imminent.

US President Donald Trump said on social media that American forces had conducted a “successful” operation and that Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country. Trump said the operation was carried out in conjunction with US law enforcement and promised further details at a news conference later in the day.

It was not immediately clear who was in control of the Venezuelan government following the reported operation, and Maduro’s whereabouts could not be independently confirmed. As confusion spread, residents poured into the streets while social media filled with videos and claims of explosions and troop movements.

The Venezuelan government rejected the US account, insisting Maduro remained the country’s legitimate president and warning that the armed forces would respond decisively to any foreign aggression.