Photos show damage to Fuerte Tiuna, the military base where Maduro was captured

President Trump said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. were “captured and flown out of the country” early Saturday, confirming what he described as a large-scale US attack that sparked a rapid global condemnation and concern.

A CIA source within the Venezuelan government helped the United States track Maduro’s location.News themezone has learned. Following reports of explosions and low flying planes In the country’s capital, Maduro was eventually captured at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex located in Caracas, the leader of Venezuela’s ruling party, Nahum Fernández, told The News.

The satellite images below show before and after the US attacks on Fuerte Tiuna.

Fuerte Tiuna before US strikes

Vantor satellite images from December 22 show an overview of the Fuerte Tiuna military complex showing buildings and equipment before damage from the attack.

Fuerte Tiuna after US strikes

Vantor satellite images show damage to vehicles and equipment at the Fuerte Tiuna military base in Caracas after the January 3 attacks.

US officials told News themezone that the operation to capture Maduro was carried out by the Army’s Delta Force, an elite special operations unit.

Helicopters that descended on Maduro’s compound came under fire, said Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but U.S. forces and the FBI eventually entered the compound. Maduro and his wife “gave up” and were taken into custody, Caine said.

At a news conference, Trump said that the United States temporarily supervise Venezuela during a transition period and would work to restore oil production. He also said that Maduro tried to escape during his capture.

“I was trying to get to a safe place,” Trump told reporters. “The safe place is all steel and he couldn’t get to the door because our guys were so fast.”

In addition to the main military base that was attacked, David Smolansky, spokesman for Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, told News themezone that the following locations were also affected by US attacks: La Carlota, the main air base in Caracas; The Volcano, signal antenna; and Puerto La Guaira, a seaport on the Caribbean coast.

Maduro is expected to face federal charges in the United States related to drug trafficking and alleged ties to gangs designated as terrorist organizations, claims he has denied. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Saturday a superseding indictment similar to the one filed against Maduro in 2020.