BREAKING NEWS: The United States launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela early Saturday, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This extraordinary military operation, confirmed by President Donald Trump on social media just after 4:30 a.m. ET, marks a dramatic escalation in U.S. efforts against the Venezuelan regime.
Multiple explosions reverberated across Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, as low-flying aircraft executed the surprise attack. Maduro’s government quickly condemned the action, labeling it an “imperialist attack” and called on citizens to protest in the streets.
In a statement following the strike, Trump announced a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. ET to discuss the implications of this operation. The U.S. has long accused Maduro of narcoterrorism, with the Justice Department indicting him in 2020 for allegedly transforming Venezuela into a hub for drug trafficking and criminal enterprises.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau hailed the operation as “a new dawn for Venezuela,” stating that “the tyrant is gone.” He emphasized the significance of this moment on social media, reinforcing the U.S. stance against Maduro’s regime.
The military action follows a series of indictments targeting Maduro and 14 of his associates, offering rewards totaling $55 million for their capture. Prior accusations include collaborating with Colombian rebels to flood the U.S. with cocaine, using the drug trade as a weapon against America.
In the wake of the attack, lawmaker Sen. Mike Lee of Utah shared details of a conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who indicated that no further military action is anticipated now that Maduro is in custody. Rubio maintains that Maduro’s claim to power is illegitimate.
The White House has not clarified where Maduro and Flores are being taken following their capture. As tensions escalate, Colombian President Gustavo Petro reported that security forces are on high alert at the border to prepare for a potential influx of Venezuelan refugees and announced plans to call for a U.N. Security Council meeting to address the situation.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. action, describing it as “an act of armed aggression.” The ministry urged for dialogue to avoid further escalation and expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan government and its people.
The U.S. State Department issued an urgent travel alert for Americans in Venezuela, advising them to “shelter in place” due to the ongoing military operations. The alert emphasized that U.S. citizens should avoid any travel to Venezuela, with the embassy in Bogota operating remotely since March 2019.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez publicly demanded proof of life for Maduro and Flores, expressing uncertainty about their current whereabouts. “We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” she stated, urging the international community to take notice.
As this situation develops, the world watches closely, anticipating the ramifications of this unprecedented military strike. Stay tuned for updates as the story unfolds.
