The first explosions in Caracas were heard on Saturday night local time. The Internet quickly became full of photos and videos showing explosions, flying helicopters and columns of smoke rising over the capital of Venezuela.
According to information provided by Reuters, the southern part of Caracas, where there is an important military base, was without electricity. The Associated Press reported that at least seven explosions and planes flying low were heard.
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Who carried out the attack on Venezuela?
What did Donald Trump say about the future of Venezuela?
What charges were brought against Nicolas Maduro?
How did the leaders of neighboring countries react to the attack?
According to information provided by the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the attacks affected both civilian and military areas. According to CBS, the strikes were to be carried out in strategic regions of the country. In addition to Caracas, the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira were also attacked. The Venezuelan authorities have directly accused the US of trying to bring about a regime change by force.
Donald Trump comments on the US attack on Venezuela. “Large-scale strike operation”
The government of Nicolas Maduro has declared a state of emergency throughout the country. CBS television reported that the order to attack targets in Venezuela was given by Donald Trump. These reports were confirmed in a later post posted by the US president on social media.
“The United States of America successfully conducted a large-scale strike operation against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who was captured and deported from the country together with his wife. This operation was carried out in cooperation with US law enforcement agencies. Details will be announced later,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump addressed the next steps following the capture of Nicolas Maduro during a live telephone interview on Fox News.
– Well, we're making that decision now. We can't take the risk and let someone else take over and continue as it was. That's why we're making this decision now. We will be very involved in it. We want to ensure freedom for people with whom we want, you know, to have good relationships. “I think Venezuelans are very, very happy because they love the United States,” Trump said.
Trump said that Nicolas Maduro, captured by US forces, is currently on the USS Iwo Jima landing ship and is heading to New York to face drug-related charges. The American president published a photo of Maduro.
Maduro and his wife indicted
US Attorney General Pam Bondi reported on the X website that Nicolas Maduro and his wife were indicted in a court in the Southern District of New York.
Bondi added that Nicolas Maduro “has been charged with drug-terrorist conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine weapons and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine weapons and destructive devices against the United States.” Formally, the US has no jurisdiction over Maduro because he is not an American citizen.
Donald Trump: We will rule Venezuela
— We will rule Venezuela until a safe, orderly and reasonable transition takes place, US President Donald Trump announced during a press conference. He added that he wants freedom for Venezuelans.
— We will rule the country until we manage to carry out a safe, appropriate and reasonable transformation. “We don't want to get involved in someone else coming into power and having the same situation we've had for the last many years,” Trump said.
The American president emphasized that he wants “peace, freedom and justice for the great people of Venezuela, including the many Venezuelans who currently live in the United States and want to return to their country.”
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is willing to “do what it takes to make Venezuela great again.” He stressed, however, that the country would be ruled by people chosen by the US.
Trump announced that the attack on Caracas was an operation not seen since World War II and suggested that American services turned off the lights in the Venezuelan capital during it. He also added that U.S. forces were ready for a second wave of attack and are still ready to do so if necessary.
US attack on Venezuela. Leaders of neighboring countries react sharply
Strong reactions to US actions in Venezuela also came from the leaders of other countries in the region. Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an urgent meeting on the matter by the United Nations and Organization of the Secret Army. “Caracas is currently being bombed. Alert everyone: Venezuela is under attack. They are bombarding it with rockets,” he wrote just after 1 p.m. 8 Polish time on the X portal.
Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez commented even more harshly on the US attack on Venezuela. “Cuba condemns and demands URGENT action from the international community against the criminal attack of the United States on Venezuela. Our Zone of Peace is brutally attacked. State terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America. Homeland or death, we will win!” – he wrote.
The Americans do not plan any further attacks on Venezuela
The latest information provided by Senator Mike Lee of Utah indicates that Secretary of State Marco Rubio “does not expect further action in Venezuela.” He was supposed to hear it from him during their phone conversation. The reason is said to be the fact that Maduro was taken into custody after “being detained by United States personnel for the purpose of being brought to trial in the United States on criminal charges.”
