Trump officially announces arrest of President Maduro and his wife during a special security operation and airlift them out of Venezuela
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States has carried out large-scale strikes on Venezuela, confirming that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been arrested and airlifted out of the country.
Trump added that the operation was carried out successfully, without immediate comment from the Venezuelan government on the remarks.
Earlier, the sounds of warplanes flying and the sound of explosions were heard, as smoke plumes rose in the center of the Venezuelan capital Caracas, adding that the explosions occurred in distant areas in the city.
The Associated Press reported that at least seven explosions were heard in the Venezuelan capital.
Images coming from the city show plumes of smoke rising from different areas of the capital.
Eyewitnesses inside Caracas were quoted as saying they heard repeated explosions and the sounds of planes flying over the city, suggesting that the attacks were carried out through air strikes, according to preliminary data.
Venezuela’s foreign minister declared that the attacks on the country represent a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and a threat to international peace and stability, accusing the United States of being behind what it described as the aggression that targeted civilian and military sites and injured the center of the capital, Caracas.
Venezuela affirmed its rejection of any attempt to change its ruling regime and reserves the right to legitimately defend its people, territory and sovereignty, announcing the activation of defense plans and the deployment of the People’s Defense Forces, in addition to declaring a state of emergency and submitting complaints to the Security Council and regional and international organizations.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the shelling targeted the port, military barracks, the People’s Legislative Palace and Caracas’ private airport.
In the United States, Reuters quoted a US official as saying Washington was conducting strikes inside Venezuela.
Fox News, citing sources familiar with the matter, also reported that the White House had confirmed attacks on Venezuela.
