CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said its president, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington.

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Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

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Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

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A woman cries during a rally of supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

A woman cries during a rally of supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

A woman cries during a rally of supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

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Venezuelans celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Venezuelans celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Venezuelans celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

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Venezuelans celebrate in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Carlos Noriega)

Venezuelans celebrate in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Carlos Noriega)

Venezuelans celebrate in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Carlos Noriega)

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Government supporters rip an American flag in half during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Government supporters rip an American flag in half during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Government supporters rip an American flag in half during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

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A Venezuelan celebrates in Bogotá, Colombia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Jose Vargas)

A Venezuelan celebrates in Bogotá, Colombia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Jose Vargas)

A Venezuelan celebrates in Bogotá, Colombia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Jose Vargas)

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Protesters rally outside the White House Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Protesters rally outside the White House Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Protesters rally outside the White House Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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A supporter of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stands on a median strip waving a national flag in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

A supporter of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stands on a median strip waving a national flag in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

A supporter of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stands on a median strip waving a national flag in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

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Venezuelan Wiliana Flores celebrates in Madrid after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Venezuelan Wiliana Flores celebrates in Madrid after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Venezuelan Wiliana Flores celebrates in Madrid after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

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Pro-government armed civilians patrol in La Guaira, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Pro-government armed civilians patrol in La Guaira, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Pro-government armed civilians patrol in La Guaira, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Protesters demonstrate in front of Stewart Air National Guard Base before the arrival of captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Newburgh, N.Y. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Protesters demonstrate in front of Stewart Air National Guard Base before the arrival of captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Newburgh, N.Y. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Protesters demonstrate in front of Stewart Air National Guard Base before the arrival of captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Newburgh, N.Y. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

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A woman defaces the facade of the U.S. Embassy with red handprints in protest against the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

A woman defaces the facade of the U.S. Embassy with red handprints in protest against the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

A woman defaces the facade of the U.S. Embassy with red handprints in protest against the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

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People celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

People celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

People celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

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A protester raises a US flag which has been set ablaze during a rally opposing the United States strikes on Venezuela and the capturing of its President Nicolas Maduro, outside the U.S embassy in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A protester raises a US flag which has been set ablaze during a rally opposing the United States strikes on Venezuela and the capturing of its President Nicolas Maduro, outside the U.S embassy in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A protester raises a US flag which has been set ablaze during a rally opposing the United States strikes on Venezuela and the capturing of its President Nicolas Maduro, outside the U.S embassy in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

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President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Maribel Gonzalez celebrates outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine after President Donald Trump announced President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Miami, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

Maribel Gonzalez celebrates outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine after President Donald Trump announced President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Miami, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

Maribel Gonzalez celebrates outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine after President Donald Trump announced President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Miami, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

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Nadine Siler, of Waldorf, Md., dressed in a pink frog costume, attends a rally outside the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Nadine Siler, of Waldorf, Md., dressed in a pink frog costume, attends a rally outside the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Nadine Siler, of Waldorf, Md., dressed in a pink frog costume, attends a rally outside the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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Cubans attends a rally in Havana, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Cubans attends a rally in Havana, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Cubans attends a rally in Havana, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attends a rally in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attends a rally in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attends a rally in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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Venezuelans celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Venezuelans celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Venezuelans celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

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A demonstrator holds a banner with a message that reads in Spanish: "Out of Venezuela, U.S." during a protest outside the U.S embassy after President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

A demonstrator holds a banner with a message that reads in Spanish: “Out of Venezuela, U.S.” during a protest outside the U.S embassy after President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

A demonstrator holds a banner with a message that reads in Spanish: “Out of Venezuela, U.S.” during a protest outside the U.S embassy after President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

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Men watch smoke rising from a dock after explosions were heard at La Guaira port, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Men watch smoke rising from a dock after explosions were heard at La Guaira port, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Men watch smoke rising from a dock after explosions were heard at La Guaira port, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Attorney General Tarek William Saab raises his right fist as he leaves the vice president's office in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Attorney General Tarek William Saab raises his right fist as he leaves the vice president’s office in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Attorney General Tarek William Saab raises his right fist as he leaves the vice president’s office in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

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Pro-government armed civilians block streets in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Pro-government armed civilians block streets in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Pro-government armed civilians block streets in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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