Trump says ‘Maduro captured’ as US carried out ‘large-scale strike’ against Venezuela

from al Jazeera English

 

Trump Claims Maduro ‘Captured’ as US Bombs Venezuelan Capital

from Common Dreams

US President Donald Trump claimed early Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was “captured and flown out of the country” after American forces bombed Venezuela’s capital.

Maduro’s alleged capture came after multiple explosions and sounds of aircraft were reported in Caracas, including at a military base at the center of the capital. Following the explosions, Maduro declared a state of emergency and accused the US of “military aggression.” The Trump administration has accused Maduro, without evidence, of heading a drug cartel. 

Vladimir Padrino, Venezuela’s defense minister, said the US attacked both civilian and military sites, and that authorities are gathering information on casualties. Padrino said Venezuela would resist the presence of foreign troops and denounced US “imperialism” and “greed for our natural resources.”

Trump—who in recent months has repeatedly threatened to attack Venezuela, oust its president, and seize the nation’s vast oil reserves—provided few details about the military assault, which followed a monthslong boat-bombing spree in international waters.

The US president did not receive congressional authorization for any of the strikes, and he said the operation was carried out in collaboration with American law enforcement. In 2020, during Trump’s first White House term, Maduro was indicted by the US Justice Department, which at the time offered rewards up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest....

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Trump claims Venezuelan President Maduro captured, flown out of country

from PressTV

Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been captured by US armed forces, US President Donald Trump claims, after Washington carried out a large-scale strike against the country.

In a post published on the social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said the couple had been flown out of Venezuela.

“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,” he wrote.

Venezuela declares state of emergency after US hits civilian, military targets

from PressTV

At least seven explosions have shaken Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, as low-flying aircraft have been detected in the skies above the city, in what the Venezuelan government said were coordinated US strikes.

Explosions and smoke were reported across Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, at around 2 a.m. local time (6 a.m. GMT) with power outages near a key military base and reports of low-flying aircraft on Saturday.

People in various neighborhoods rushed to the streets. Some could be seen in the distance from various areas of Caracas.

President Nicolas Maduro announced a nationwide state of emergency, ordered the full activation of national defense plans, and authorized the deployment of comprehensive defense commands across the country in response to the attacks.

In a statement, the Venezuelan government said US forces carried out coordinated strikes on civilian and military targets in Caracas and several other states, describing the operation as a direct act of military aggression aimed at seizing the country’s oil and mineral wealth.

The government urged its supporters to mobilize nationwide in response to the attacks.

“People to the streets!” the statement said. “The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.”...

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[BREAKING] US Claims Maduro Captured During Military Operation Against Venezuela

from Venezuelan Analysis

US President Donald Trump has claimed that US Special Forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday.

In a social media message, Trump stated that the US had “successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela” and that Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores had been “captured and flown out of the country.”

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that Maduro and Flores’ whereabouts are unknown and demanded that the Trump administration provide proof of life.

US attacks began around 2 am local time, with loud explosions felt in the capital and nearby states.