Who’s Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s not too long ago captured president?

[ad_1] Hearken to this text

Estimated 4 minutes

The audio model of this text is generated by AI-based expertise. Mispronunciations can happen. We're working with our companions to repeatedly evaluation and enhance the outcomes.

On Saturday, the U.S. introduced it launched a "large-scale strike" in Venezuela and captured the oil-rich nation's president, Nicolás Maduro, alongside together with his spouse, Cilia Flores.

The pair have been "flown in a foreign country," U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned on his Reality Social platform.

"This operation was completed at the side of U.S. Legislation Enforcement," he added.

Maduro and his spouse have been indicted in New York, U.S. Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi mentioned on social media platform X.

Venezuelans are reportedly ready with bated breath to be taught what occurs subsequent, whereas a number of world leaders have confirmed they're in contact with embassies to watch the aftermath of the assault — which marks the biggest intervention of its variety by the U.S. in Latin America since 1989.

As new data continues to floor, listed here are some key details about Maduro, who has been accused by the Trump administration of working drug cartels and different crimes.

From bus driver to Chávez ally Maduro, whose father was a commerce union chief, was born on Nov. 23, 1962, right into a working-class household.

The 63-year-old was working as a bus driver within the early Nineties when military officer Hugo Chávez led an unsuccessful coup towards the Venezuelan authorities and was imprisoned. Maduro then campaigned for his launch, supporting Chávez's left-wing agenda.

WATCH | Why a U.S. invasion in Venezuela spells catastrophe: Why a U.S. floor invasion of Venezuela can be a catastrophe | About That

Tensions between america and Venezuela are escalating because the U.S. continues to strike alleged Venezuelan drug-trafficking boats and indicators the potential of a floor invasion. Andrew Chang breaks down the geographical, logistical and political challenges concerned in ratcheting up the battle to this stage.

Pictures offered by The Canadian Press, Reuters and Getty Pictures Maduro finally received a seat within the legislature following Chávez's 1998 election victory, shortly climbing the federal government ranks.

Chávez, himself controversial, finally picked Maduro as his successor earlier than Maduro was narrowly elected president in 2013 following Ch ávez's dying.

Maduro turns into president Maduro's administration oversaw a spectacular financial collapse characterised by hyperinflation and continual shortages.

His rule turned finest identified for allegedly rigged elections, meals shortages and rights abuses, together with harsh crackdowns on protests in 2014 and 2017.

Tens of millions of Venezuelans emigrated overseas, together with to Canada.

Maduro was sworn in for a third time period in January 2025, following a 2024 election that was broadly condemned by worldwide observers and the opposition as fraudulent. His victory was supported by Russia, Turkey and China.

1000's of individuals who protested the federal government's declaration of victory have been jailed.

Assaults on authorities opponents aren't new, in line with experiences. A latest United Nations fact-finding mission discovered proof of significant human rights violations and crimes towards humanity in Venezuela, dedicated by the Bolivarian Nationwide Guard (GNB), a part of the nation's armed forces.

LISTEN | What are the U.S.'s motivations in Venezuela?: Entrance Burner 29:32 Will the U.S. invade Venezuela?

“The details we have now documented present the position of the GNB in a sample of systematic and co-ordinated repression towards opponents or these perceived as such, which has continued for greater than a decade,” mentioned Marta Valiñas, who led the mission.

“The persistence of those crimes and the absence of enough justice require a decided response from nationwide and worldwide accountability mechanisms."

The Maduro authorities's repressive actions got here into the fore globally in 2025 after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to opposition chief Maria Corina Machado, who has voiced help for Trump's techniques.

Maduro captured by the U.S., world reacts Maduro's authorities has been topic to aggressive sanctions by the U.S. and different powers. In 2020, Washington indicted him on corruption and different fees. Maduro rejected the accusations and as an alternative has accused Trump of searching for Venezuelan oil. Maduro and his spouse now face felony fees within the U.S.

Nonetheless, politicians within the U.S. and all over the world query the legality of Saturday assault.

“I stay up for studying what, if something, would possibly constitutionally justify this motion within the absence of a declaration of battle or authorization for the usage of army pressure,” Utah Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican, mentioned on X.