New Delhi, Jan. 3 -- The United States on Saturday carried out a "large-scale strike" in Venezuela, with President Donald Trump claiming on Truth Social that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out from the country amid actions against Venezuelan 'drug traffickers'.

The strike occurred amid escalating pressure from the Trump administration on Maduro, who faces narco-terrorism charges in the United States. For months, Trump had warned that he might soon authorise strikes on Venezuelan targets after repeated attacks on boats alleged to be transporting drugs. Maduro condemned the US military actions, calling them a thinly disguised attempt to remove him from power.

Several explosions were heard, and low-flying air...