Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US army’s Delta Force, officials tell the BBC’s US partner CBS News.
Delta Force is the US military’s top counter terrorism unit.
The US has long accused Nicolás Maduro of leading an international drug trafficking organisation, something that Maduro denies.
Trump did not give more detail about how Maduro was captured or where he has been taken.
The Venezuelan government have not yet confirmed this.
The US had offered a $50m reward for information leading to the arrest of Maduro.
That, along with the huge military build-up in the region over the last few months, were interpreted in the region as encouragement for someone inside the country to turn against him.
Donald Trump adds on Truth Social that there will be a news conference at 11:00 EST (16:00 BST), at the president’s Florida residence Mar-a-Lago.
President Donald Trump says the US has carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and “captured its leader, President Nicolas Maduro” and his wife.
Here’s the statement from Truth Social in full:
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.
“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Venezuela’s Defence Minister has announced an immediate deployment of military forces across the country.
Speaking in Spanish in a video address, Vladimir Padrino López called for a united front of resistance in the face of “the worst aggression” ever against Venezuela, adding that Venezuela was following “Maduro’s orders” that all armed forces will be deployed.
“They’ve attacked us but they will not subdue us,” says the defence minister.