In recent developments, Utah Senator Mike Lee on Saturday claimed that Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro has been arrested by US personnel, citing a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Further in his recent X post, Lee said Rubio informed him that Maduro had been taken into custody to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.
According to him, the “kinetic action” witnessed earlier was carried out to protect US personnel involved in executing the arrest warrant.
Lee also asserted that the operation likely fell within the US President’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution, particularly to safeguard American forces from any imminent or actual threat during the mission.
The claim comes amid heightened tensions following US military action in Venezuela earlier in the day. There has been no official confirmation so far from the White House or the US State Department, while Venezuelan authorities have disputed reports about Maduro’s detention, deepening uncertainty around the situation.
