US attacks Venezuela: Maduro captured
US President Donald Trump has announced on social media that several large-scale attacks have been successfully carried out against military installations in Venezuela and that its president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife have been captured and transferred out of the country. Trump announces a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida at 11 a.m. local time.
Early this morning, sources within Donald Trump's administration confirmed to CBS News that the US president had given the order to attack military and logistical targets in Venezuela.
This action represents an unprecedented escalation in the campaign of pressure against the Venezuelan leader. At the same time, the US Air Force has banned all civilian aircraft from flying over the Caribbean country's airspace.
Explosions at military bases
The attacks have been concentrated on key facilities such as Fuerte Tiuna, the country's main military complex, and La Carlota air base. Eyewitnesses reported hearing bursts of gunfire and helicopters after powerful explosions that caused immediate power outages in the surrounding areas. Residents of housing complexes within the military forts began to leave the facilities for fear of further impacts.
In addition to facilities in the capital, Caracas, attacks have been confirmed against various military bases in regions such as La Guaira, Higuerote, and Maracay. In the port of La Guaira, residents described explosions of such magnitude that they shook the walls and windows of nearby buildings. Military activity continued until after 2:15 a.m.
The Spanish government, through its Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, reported that it is gathering detailed information on the situation. Albares confirmed that he has already been in contact with the Spanish ambassador in Caracas and that all diplomatic personnel are safe.
Complaint to the UN
Venezuela announced that it will file a formal complaint with the United Nations. The official statement, read on state television ‘VTV’, describes the US intervention as a “flagrant violation” of the United Nations Charter and the principles of legal equality between states.
The Venezuelan executive warned that this aggression puts the lives of millions of people at risk and threatens the stability of the whole of Latin America and the Caribbean. While aircraft continue to fly over several regions of the country, the government reserved the right to exercise legitimate defense against the foreign offensive.