Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were injured during a dramatic and violent US operation to apprehend the couple at their compound in Caracas, according to multiple sources.
The raid, which took place early Saturday morning, saw US Delta forces breach the residence where Maduro and Flores were hiding. Witnesses claim that the sudden entry was "taken by surprise" by the couple, who suffered injuries before being taken into custody.
Eyewitnesses describe that the Maduros' injuries appeared to be minor, with bruises or bleeding caused by a bump into the wall or door of their safe room. The US official and source familiar with the matter insisted that these injuries occurred prior to contact with US forces.
Following their capture, Maduro and Flores were medically evaluated aboard an airplane before it landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York City. Their condition was assessed by a medical professional, who reportedly noted bruising on Flores' face.
When brought before a federal court in New York, both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to the charges of drug conspiracy levied against them. However, their attorneys revealed more about their injuries: Flores had suffered fractured ribs, while Maduro's lawyer stated that he required medical care due to pre-existing health issues.
Maduro made a dramatic statement in court, claiming he was "a prisoner of war." His attorney later addressed the bruising on Flores' face, saying she was "in good spirits" and looking forward to reviewing the evidence against her.
The raid, which took place early Saturday morning, saw US Delta forces breach the residence where Maduro and Flores were hiding. Witnesses claim that the sudden entry was "taken by surprise" by the couple, who suffered injuries before being taken into custody.
Eyewitnesses describe that the Maduros' injuries appeared to be minor, with bruises or bleeding caused by a bump into the wall or door of their safe room. The US official and source familiar with the matter insisted that these injuries occurred prior to contact with US forces.
Following their capture, Maduro and Flores were medically evaluated aboard an airplane before it landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York City. Their condition was assessed by a medical professional, who reportedly noted bruising on Flores' face.
When brought before a federal court in New York, both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to the charges of drug conspiracy levied against them. However, their attorneys revealed more about their injuries: Flores had suffered fractured ribs, while Maduro's lawyer stated that he required medical care due to pre-existing health issues.
Maduro made a dramatic statement in court, claiming he was "a prisoner of war." His attorney later addressed the bruising on Flores' face, saying she was "in good spirits" and looking forward to reviewing the evidence against her.
I'm shocked they weren't injured that badly considering what went down. Like, did they not see those US Delta forces coming? And bruising just from bumping into a wall or door? It's not like they got hit by a truck or something. I mean, Flores had fractured ribs, which is pretty serious, so it's weird her lawyer isn't saying anything about that. Anyway, it's all good for the US to be making moves against Maduro and his wife, right? 
And what's up with him calling himself a prisoner of war? 
I mean, I knew tensions between the US and Venezuela had been high, but this is crazy! Maduro and his wife getting injured in a raid at their compound? That's some intense drama right there.
Bruised ribs for Cilia Flores? And pre-existing health issues for Maduro? Poor guy was already in bad shape and then he gets taken away by the US?
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by this turn of events. I mean, who would've thought that a raid like this would go down in broad daylight? 
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- I mean, it takes guts to stand up to the US government like this. But on the other hand, it's not like they didn't see it coming... or was it? 
. It's a pretty bold move, especially considering he's got a bunch of charges against him. I'm curious to see how this all plays out in court 
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Fractured ribs? Bruising on her face? That doesn't sound like minor bumps and bruises at all... maybe she's not as "in good spirits" as her lawyer is making her out to be 
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gotta ask what's the real story here tho? They say injuries happened prior to contact but i'm not buying it... sounds like some overplayed drama to get outta trouble 
also flores' ribs got fractured on the way back from caracas to ny lol 
what a ride? 
️ and maduro's just trying to pull a prisoner of war card, how original 
. I mean, I knew tensions between the two countries have been high for a while now, but I didn't think it would come to this 
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. The whole situation feels so uncertain and unpredictable 
. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the medical evaluations and court proceedings go smoothly for both of them 
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. I wonder what the next steps will be in this whole ordeal 
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. And what's with the whole "prisoner of war" thing from Maduro? Like, dude, this is Venezuela we're talking about 
. Not some enemy nation where you can just claim to be a POW and get special treatment 
. also, claiming prisoner of war? lol what a joke