The US government has intensified its actions against Venezuela following strikes that impacted the capital city early Saturday.
Tensions between the two nations have been escalating for months, with President Donald Trump issuing numerous warnings regarding Venezuela.
Trump has consistently informed the media that his administration’s focus has been on targeting ‘narco terrorists’ accused of drug smuggling into the United States.
In response, the US has employed military force, resulting in over 110 casualties during strikes on open water since the operations commenced on September 2.
Recent developments indicate that the situation has further escalated, with strikes now targeting Caracas. Reports suggest that the locations affected include a military airfield in Caracas’ center, La Carlota, and the main military base of Fuerte Tiuna.
Numerous videos circulating on social media capture the explosions rattling the city.
The Venezuelan government confirmed that the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira were also targeted, describing the strikes as an attempt by the US to seize Venezuela’s oil and mineral resources.
In a statement, the government expressed its position, stating it ‘rejects, repudiates and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current Government of the United States of America’.
President Nicolás Maduro has declared a national emergency, and both Cuba and Colombia have condemned the attacks.
Trump, in a Truth Social post, acknowledged US involvement, calling the strikes a success and claiming the capture of the nation’s leader.
In a Saturday morning post, he stated, “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.
“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Back in October, when questioned by a reporter on why he would not seek a declaration of war from Congress, Trump responded: “I think we’re just gonna kill people. Okay? We’re gonna kill them. They’re gonna be, like, dead.”
He further added, “The land is going to be next. And we may go to the Senate; we may go to the Congress and tell them about it, but I can’t imagine they’d have any problem with it.”
At that time, Maduro strongly criticized Trump’s remarks, accusing the US of pursuing a ‘new eternal war’, stating, “They promised they would never again get involved in a war, and they are fabricating a war.”
Earlier this week, prior to the attacks, Maduro expressed openness to discussions with the US on drug trafficking and oil issues “wherever and whenever they want”.