CARACAS (VENEZUELA): The United States carried out military strikes in Venezuela early this morning following weeks of threats by U.S. President Donald Trump against the government of President Nicolás Maduro.
President Trump later claimed that the U.S. forces captured the Venezuelan president and his wife and took them out of the country after conducting an operation.
Explosions were reported in the capital, Caracas, and nearby regions, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries.
Residents said they were awakened by loud blasts and the sound of aircraft flying at low altitude around 2 a.m. local time. Power outages were reported in several neighborhoods, particularly in southern Caracas, while smoke was seen rising near areas that house key military installations.
Venezuelan officials said the strikes targeted military facilities, though the full extent of the damage was not immediately clear.
In a televised address, Venezuela’s defense minister accused the United States of committing an act of aggression and violating the country’s sovereignty. The government declared a state of emergency, placed security forces on high alert, and announced the mobilization of air defense and ground units.
President Maduro condemned the strikes as “imperialist aggression” and called on Venezuelans to remain united.
The U.S. government has not issued an official statement confirming the strikes. However, the action follows months of increasingly hostile rhetoric from Trump, who has accused Maduro’s government of corruption, authoritarianism, and involvement in international drug trafficking.
The U.S. administration has previously imposed sanctions and conducted maritime operations in the region as part of its pressure campaign.
Regional reaction was swift, with several Latin American governments expressing concern over the potential for wider conflict. Calls grew for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the situation and prevent further escalation.
The strikes represent the most direct U.S. military action on Venezuelan territory in decades and raise fears of retaliation or prolonged confrontation.
As dawn broke over Caracas, the situation remained tense, with Venezuelans bracing for possible further developments and the international community urging restraint on both sides.
