Donald Trump claims Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been “captured” after the US carried out “large scale strikes” against the country.
Multiple explosions rocked the capital city of Caracas at around 1.50am local time (5.50am GMT).
Attacks took place in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, a statement from Caracas said.
Mr Trump confirmed the US was behind the attacks and said President Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out the country”.
He wrote in a post to Truth Social: “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.”
For months, Donald Trump had promised land operations in Venezuela in a bid to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs to the States – as well as push President Maduro to leave.
The Venezuela government said in a statement said the goal of the attack is for the United States to take possession of the country’s oil and minerals.
It added that the United States “will not succeed” in taking the resources.
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Venezuela will resist presence of foreign troops – defence minister
Venezuela will resist the presence of foreign troops, defence minister Vladimir Padrino has said.
The US President claims Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and was being removed from the country.
A US attack on the country in the early morning struck civilian areas, Mr Padrino said, and Venezuela is compiling information about those deceased and injured.
Donald Trump confirms US has carried out ‘large scale strike’ against Venezuela and ‘captured’ President Maduro
Donald Trump claims Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have been ‘captured’
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REUTERS
Donald Trump has broken his silence following the airstrikes on Venezuela.
In a post to Truth Social, the US President wrote: “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.”
PICTURED: Fire at Venezuela’s largest military complex following airstrikes
Fire has been pictured at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex
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LUIS JAIMES/GETTY
Blasts heard at heavily-guarded airbase and communications centre
Local reports suggest blasts have been heard at an airbase and a communications centre, both of which are heavily-guarded military or Government-run facilities.
The first blast was recorded at approximately 1.50am local time.
Aeroplanes, loud noises and at least one column of smoke were then heard and seen in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Venezuelan ‘rejects extremely serious military aggression’ by US
The Venezuelan government has released an official statement following the attacks.
It said it “rejects” the “extremely serious military aggression” by the US.
The statement reads: “Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current Government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory.”
