In a surprising announcement early Saturday morning, President Donald Trump revealed that the United States has successfully executed a large-scale military operation against Venezuela. The president stated that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and are now in U.S. custody, having been flown out of the country. This revelation came via Trump's social media platform just before 4:30 a.m., shortly after multiple explosions were reported in Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela.
Witnesses in Caracas reported hearing several explosions, with photos and videos circulating on social media showing significant plumes of smoke and a large fireball illuminating the night sky. President Trump characterized the operation as a coordinated effort involving U.S. law enforcement, and indicated that he would hold a press conference at 11 a.m. from his Mar-a-Lago estate to provide further details.
This military action comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, marked by a recent increase in U.S. military forces deployed in the Caribbean region. Additionally, the U.S. has been actively targeting vessels suspected of engaging in drug smuggling activities linked to the Venezuelan government.
In light of the ongoing military operations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an alert prohibiting U.S. civil aircraft from flying over Venezuela. The agency cited “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity” as the reason for this precautionary measure.
The Venezuelan government swiftly condemned the U.S. actions, labeling them as “grave military aggression” against the country. According to an official statement, the government denounced these actions in Caracas and the surrounding states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. In response to the situation, President Maduro has ordered the implementation of national defense plans and declared a state of External Disturbance across the national territory.
This is a rapidly evolving situation, and further details are expected as the day progresses. Stay tuned for updates regarding this significant military strike and its implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations.