The early hours of Saturday morning shattered the calm in Venezuela, as the U.S. military initiated a large-scale operation within the nation’s borders. Reports began surfacing of at least seven explosions echoing through the capital city of Caracas, accompanied by the ominous drone of low-flying aircraft just after 2 a.m. local time.
President Donald Trump swiftly confirmed the strikes, announcing the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. They were reportedly flown out of the country following the operation, which Trump stated was conducted in collaboration with U.S. law enforcement agencies. A press conference was scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Mar-a-Lago to address the unfolding events.
The attacks impacted both civilian and military locations across Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, according to the Venezuelan government. The response was immediate and forceful, with officials denouncing the action as a “very serious military aggression” and an act of “imperialist aggression.”
Venezuela’s government alleges the U.S. objective is the seizure of the nation’s vast strategic resources – particularly its oil and mineral wealth. They claim this is a blatant attempt to dismantle Venezuela’s political independence through force, a charge they vow to resist. The nation asserts its unwavering commitment to sovereignty and self-determination after centuries of independence.
This intervention arrives amidst ongoing U.S. military efforts targeting suspected drug-smuggling operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. However, the scope of this latest action has sparked questions about its legal justification, with Senator Mike Lee questioning the constitutional basis for the strikes in the absence of a formal declaration of war or authorization.
Just days prior, Maduro signaled a willingness to negotiate with the United States, following months of escalating American pressure on networks linked to his government. He proposed a potential agreement to address drug trafficking, even extending an invitation for U.S. investment in Venezuela’s oil sector, mirroring the existing arrangement with Chevron.
The U.S. government has issued urgent travel warnings, advising citizens against travel to Venezuela and urging those currently in the country to seek shelter. The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, issued the warning, reinforcing a previous advisory from December urging all U.S. citizens to depart Venezuela immediately. Diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from Caracas in 2019, and embassy operations remain suspended.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a Notice to Airmen, effectively prohibiting all U.S. aircraft from entering Venezuelan airspace at any altitude. This airspace closure underscores the immediate and significant impact of the military operation.
The situation remains fluid and rapidly evolving, with the world watching closely as the consequences of this unprecedented action unfold. Further details are expected to emerge during the scheduled press conference and in the coming hours.
