A dramatic and unprecedented event unfolded early Saturday morning: a large-scale military operation conducted by the United States within Venezuela. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation’s success, announcing the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and their subsequent removal from the country.
The operation began with a series of at least seven explosions rocking Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, in the early hours of the morning. Witnesses reported low-flying aircraft over the city around 2 a.m. local time, signaling a swift and decisive intervention.
The Venezuelan government vehemently condemned the action, labeling it a “very serious military aggression” and an attempt at “imperialist aggression.” Officials stated that civilian and military locations in Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira were directly impacted by the attack.
According to the Venezuelan government, the objective of the operation was to seize control of the nation’s vast strategic resources, particularly its oil and mineral wealth. They accused the U.S. of attempting to forcibly dismantle Venezuela’s political independence, a claim met with a defiant pledge to defend their sovereignty.
The intervention follows a period of increased U.S. military activity in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, focused on disrupting alleged drug-smuggling operations. However, the scale of this operation represents a significant escalation of U.S. involvement in the region.
Questions regarding the legal justification for the strike are already surfacing. Senator Mike Lee questioned the constitutional basis for the action, emphasizing the absence of a formal declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force.
Just days prior to the operation, Maduro had indicated a willingness to negotiate an agreement with the United States, responding to months of American pressure targeting drug trafficking networks linked to his administration. He expressed openness to discussing a deal to combat drug trafficking and even welcomed U.S. investment in Venezuela’s oil sector.
The U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, issued an urgent warning to American citizens, advising against all travel to Venezuela and urging those currently in the country to shelter in place. A previous travel advisory had already strongly recommended immediate departure for all U.S. citizens in Venezuela.
Reinforcing the gravity of the situation, the Federal Aviation Administration swiftly prohibited all U.S. aircraft from operating within Venezuelan airspace, effective immediately. This airspace closure underscores the immediate and comprehensive nature of the U.S. action.
President Trump has announced a news conference at Mar-a-Lago at 11 a.m. Saturday, where further details regarding the operation are expected to be revealed. The world now awaits further clarification on the unfolding events and their potential ramifications.
