New York, Jan 07 (V7N)- US administration officials have told lawmakers that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, sustained head and other injuries during the US military operation that led to their capture in Caracas on January 3.

According to sources cited by CNN, top security officials—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe—briefed members of Congress in a classified session lasting over two hours.

Officials said the couple tried to avoid arrest during the raid, and in the process both were struck as US special forces closed in. Immediately after their capture, US forces provided first aid before transporting them to the United States. Both appeared in a New York federal court on January 5 and pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. (People.com)

In court, Flores was seen with bandages on her head and appeared weak, with her attorney requesting a full medical evaluation, including X-rays, to check for possible fractures or rib injuries. Reports from the hearing indicate that Maduro also appeared physically strained, moving slowly during proceedings.

The US administration has maintained that the operation was conducted within the law, framing it as a legal action tied to longstanding criminal charges against the couple. Maduro has rejected US jurisdiction, insisted he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president, and called his capture a “kidnapping.”

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