The United States (U.S) early Saturday, January 3 hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike”, an operation announced by President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack.
A series of explosions were rumbled through Caracas, the capital, with Venezuelan government immediately accusing the U.S of the “imperialist attack” against civilians and military installations.
In his statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump said that the U.S forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, alongside his wife Cilia Flores, during the operation.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump announced.
“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement,” he added, promising that there will be a news conference today at 11 AM (local time) at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.
‘We want proof of life’
Speaking by telephone to Venezuelan TV, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said that the government did not know the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife. Rodrigues called on the U.S to issue “proof of life” of Maduro.
“We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.” He added: “We demand proof of life.”
Explosions rock Caracas
At least seven explosions rocked Caracas, sending people into panic mode, running helter-skelter. Others took to social media to report hearing and seeing the explosions.
The attack, that lasted less than 30 minutes, is a culmination of tensions that has been rising in recent weeks in Venezuela, after Trump threatened to launch attacks on targets linked to drug trafficking.
On December 31, 2035, the U.S sanctioned four entities for illegally operating in Venezuela’s oil sector.
The Trump Administration also blocked four associated oil tankers, which they believe is part of a shadow fleet that funds Maduro’s “illegitimate, corrupt regime and allows Maduro and his cronies to evade sanctions.”
“Today’s sanctions continue President Trump’s pressure campaign on Maduro and his cronies. The Trump Administration is committed to disrupting the network that props up Maduro and his illegitimate regime,” the State Department said in a statement.
Trump has repeatedly accused Maduro — although without providing proof — of leading a trafficking organisation that aims to destabilise the U.S by flooding it with drugs.
In an interview last Thursday, Maduro stated that the Latim-American country was ready to negotiate a deal with the U.S to combat drug trafficking. He also accused the U.S of trying to topple his government and gain access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
