Putin, others demand proof of life as capture of Maduro by US sparks international outcry

Venezuela and Russia have called on the United States to provide proof that President Nicolás Maduro is alive, following claims by US President Donald Trump that the Venezuelan leader and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by American forces.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, speaking to state television on Saturday, said the government had no information on the whereabouts of Maduro and Flores after a series of US air strikes on Caracas and other cities. She described the situation as “alarming and unprecedented” and urged Washington to immediately confirm Maduro’s status.

Trump had earlier asserted that Maduro and his wife were captured during a “large-scale strike” by US forces and flown out of Venezuela. The announcement triggered sharp international reactions, with Russia demanding urgent clarification. The Russian foreign ministry said it was “extremely alarmed” by reports that Maduro and his wife were forcibly removed from the country in what it described as US aggression.

“We call for an immediate clarification of the situation,” the ministry added.

The US action has drawn condemnation from Russia, Iran, and several other nations, all warning of potential violations of international law and regional instability. Spain has offered to mediate in an effort to de-escalate tensions and seek a peaceful resolution.

The escalating situation raises fears of broader geopolitical fallout as questions continue to mount over Maduro’s fate.

Adding to the controversy, US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed on Saturday that Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on multiple criminal charges, including narco-terrorism. The charges also include cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons against the United States.

“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” Bondi said in a statement posted on the social media platform X.

The developments mark a significant escalation in tensions between the United States and Venezuela, leaving the international community closely watching as questions over the legality, execution, and consequences of the US operation remain unresolved.