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U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that the United States has "successfully carried out a large-scale attack against Venezuela" and that Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife, has been "captured and flown out of the country."
"The operation was carried out in conjunction with United States law enforcement," Trump asserted in a message on the Truth Social network, where he indicated he would provide more information at a press conference at 11:00 AM (16:00 GMT) at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
Initially, President Maduro had denounced a "very serious military aggression" by the U.S. and declared a state of external emergency throughout Venezuela, coinciding with reports from American media suggesting that Washington ordered strikes against several targets.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López denounced missile attacks from U.S. helicopters on civilian areas of Caracas, as well as other parts of the country, and indicated that they are searching for potential wounded or dead.
"This invasion represents the greatest outrage the country has suffered, responding to the insatiable greed for our strategic resources," Padrino López said in a video broadcast on social media.
Fire and some damage to the fencing of the Generalísimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base, also known as La Carlota, the main military airport in Caracas, were confirmed by EFE.
In addition to the fire, tree debris and destruction were observed on the city's main highway, adjacent to the military installation, where uniformed personnel were also seen in vehicles surrounding the area.
One of the explosions occurred on a mountain near Fuerte Tiuna—which houses the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense—where there was also a power outage, as well as in surrounding areas, while the sound of aircraft overflights could be heard, according to EFE. Some areas of Caracas were left without power amidst the bombings.
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the attack last night on several targets, including military ones, in an escalation of his pressure campaign against the Maduro government, sources from the U.S. administration told CBS News.
Fox News also claimed that Trump had decided on the airstrikes against several targets, with a greater focus on the coastal area around La Guaira, near the Maiquetía airport, and in an area that includes potential key military targets.
The Government of Venezuela, in turn, indicated that the attacks were against civilian locations and military installations in the states of Miranda, Aragua, La Guaira, and the capital, Caracas, and ordered the "deployment of the command for the integral defense of the nation."
Maduro ordered the implementation of the decree declaring a state of "external emergency" to protect the national territory and shift "immediately to armed struggle."
Authorities also announced that they will report the "aggression" to the UN.
The attack was decided days ago.
President Trump ordered the attacks days ago, two U.S. officials told CBS News.
According to the sources, the White House considered carrying them out against Venezuelan targets, including military ones, on Christmas Day, but it was finally decided to give priority to aerial actions in Nigeria against alleged Islamic State (IS) camps.
Military sources indicated that the Pentagon was waiting for the most favorable weather conditions for the success of this operation, and the Air Force issued an official notice this Saturday prohibiting all aircraft from flying through Venezuelan airspace.
Trump mentioned in November the possibility of strikes on Venezuelan territory amidst his campaign against Venezuela and the Maduro government, which he accuses of allegedly leading a drug trafficking network.
Colombia, Cuba, and Iran denounce the attack.
Venezuelan opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia said this Saturday that they will not comment on the matter for the time being, according to their official spokesperson on X.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his government's "deep concern" over the explosions in Caracas and other parts of Venezuela due to "the consequent escalation of tension in the region."
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez also denounced a "criminal attack" by the United States against Venezuela on Saturday as "state terrorism" and demanded an "urgent" reaction from the international community.
Iran condemned the U.S. military attack as a "flagrant violation of international law."
Conversely, the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, celebrated the capture of Maduro announced by Trump.
In the U.S., Democratic senators condemned the airstrikes on Venezuelan territory ordered by Trump on Saturday because "this war is illegal," said Rubén Gallego of Arizona on X.
[Publicidad]