A United States senator claims Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is arrested by US authorities and is now in custody to face criminal charges in the United States, though there is no official confirmation from the US government.
According to Senator Mike Lee of Utah, who cites a private briefing with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Maduro is arrested by US personnel during a coordinated operation, Mediaplusng.com reports. Lee says the action includes what he describes as “kinetic measures” deployed to protect those carrying out the arrest warrant.
In a post shared on X early Saturday, Lee states that Rubio informs him the operation falls within the US president’s constitutional authority under Article II, which allows action to protect American personnel from actual or imminent threats. He adds that Rubio expects no further military action in Venezuela following the alleged arrest.
Another Republican lawmaker, Senator Tom Cotton, later supports the claim, saying Rubio also confirms to him that Maduro is in US custody, Mediaplusng.com understands. However, US authorities have not released any official statement confirming the arrest or outlining the legal basis for such an operation.
The claims follow reports of military activity that prompt widespread speculation and debate online. Earlier, Senator Lee publicly questions the legality of any strike or enforcement action, noting that he seeks clarification on what constitutional authority justifies such a move without a formal declaration of war or congressional authorization.
Legal and political analysts note that arresting a sitting foreign president would represent a major escalation in US–Venezuela relations and would normally require clear public justification and international coordination. As of the time of reporting, no confirmation has come from the White House, the US Department of State, or the Department of Justice.
The Venezuelan government has also not issued any official response to the claims. Observers say the absence of verified statements leaves significant uncertainty around the situation and calls for caution in interpreting the reports.
US officials are expected to address the claims if accurate, given their serious diplomatic and legal implications. Until then, the reported arrest remains an unverified claim based solely on statements attributed to US lawmakers.
The situation continues to draw global attention, as any confirmed detention of President Maduro could reshape regional politics, ongoing sanctions, and international legal proceedings involving Venezuela.
