In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the United States military conducted targeted strikes inside Venezuela on Saturday, January 3. The operation, which resulted in explosions rocking the capital city of Caracas, follows months of persistent threats from US President Donald Trump directed at the Venezuelan government.
Details of the Military Strikes and US Claims
According to Venezuelan government reports, the attacks were not confined to Caracas. Significant military activity was also registered in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. The scale and precision of the strikes prompted an immediate and severe response from the Venezuelan leadership.
In a stunning development announced on the same day, President Donald Trump stated that the United States had successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Trump further claimed that the detained leader had been flown out of the country, marking a potentially seismic shift in the long-standing political standoff.
Venezuela's Response and Declaration of Emergency
Faced with the external military action and the extraordinary claims regarding its president, the Venezuelan government moved swiftly. President Nicolas Maduro, reportedly before the capture claim, declared a full-scale national emergency. This decree mobilizes all national defense and security forces to a state of maximum alert and readiness.
The situation on the ground remains fluid and highly tense. The Venezuelan military has been ordered to defend the nation's sovereignty, setting the stage for a potential further confrontation. The government's communication channels have been actively used to counter the US narrative and reassure the populace.
Background and Potential Global Implications
This military action is the culmination of a years-long pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro regime, which it considers illegitimate. The Trump administration had previously imposed severe economic sanctions and recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's interim president.
The direct military intervention and the claim of capturing a sitting head of state represent an unprecedented move in modern Western Hemisphere relations. It is likely to trigger strong reactions from global powers and could destabilize the region further. The immediate priorities are verifying the status of President Maduro and assessing the humanitarian impact of the strikes on Venezuelan citizens.
All live updates on this fast-evolving crisis can be tracked here on DH.
