We can now bring you some comments from US Attorney General Pam Bondi who says that Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
The US has captured Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and launched "large-scale" strikes against the country, Donald Trump says.
He says Maduro has been flown out of the country, though details remain scarce.
Maduro, Bondi says, has been charged with "Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States".
"They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," Bondi adds but does not say what his wife has been charged with.
"A huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers," she adds.
UK not involved in US strikes on Venezuela, Starmer says
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK was not "involved in any way" in the US operation in Venezuela, but he is seeking more information before commenting on it.
Starmer says he has not spoken to President Trump about the US's capturing of President Nicolas Maduro.
"No I haven't and it is obviously a fast moving situation and we need to establish all the facts", he said in remarks recorded for UK broadcasters.
The prime minister added "what I can say is that the UK was not involved in any way in this operation".
Asked if he would condemn the action as number of UK MPs, some from Labour's left and some independents, already have, Starmer said "I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. As I say I can be absolutely clear we were not involved in that".
He went on "as you know, I always say and believe we should uphold international law.
"But I think at this stage, fast moving situation, let's establish the facts and take it from there".
Commenting on the implications for UK citizens in the South American country Starmer said "there's about five hundred there in Venezuela, and we are working with the embassy to make sure they are well looked-after, safeguarded and get appropriate advice, and we are working at pace with the embassy on that. It is a small number, but it is an important number, so that is what we are doing there".
The big question now is who will be in charge in Venezuela
If it is confirmed that Nicholas Maduro has been detained and taken out of the country, attention will turn to who will govern Venezuela next.
Apparently, there will be no further attacks, and Donald Trump would consider himself satisfied with having removed Maduro. But that raises the question: will Chavismo remain in power without Maduro?
If that happens, there are three figures to watch closely: Vice President Delcy Rodríguez; Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello; and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.
All three appeared on television hours after the attack and could assume leadership.
Both Padrino and Cabello wield significant influence within the military, which could remain loyal to either figure. The role of the armed forces will be key in determining who takes the reins.
Rodríguez, by contrast, holds greater civilian and economic power and does not have the same access to the military ranks as Cabello and Padrino.
The other major unknown is what the opposition, led by María Corina Machado, will do. After claiming victory in the July 2024 elections, the opposition is demanding real political change and may not be satisfied with Maduro’s removal from the presidential palace alone.
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