US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Picture: Saul Loeb and Federico Parra/ AFP After months of threats and pressure tactics, the United States on Saturday bombed Venezuela and toppled authoritarian left-wing leader Nicolas Maduro, who was seized to face trial in New York. The first explosions were heard in the capital, Caracas, and surrounding areas shortly before 2:00 am (0600 GMT) and continued until around 3:15 am.
Trump said at 0921 GMT on his Truth Social platform that the United States had “successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela” and that Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the Country.” Top US General Dan Caine said the goal of “Operation Absolute Resolve” was purely to seize Maduro, with airstrikes clearing the way for helicopters used in the capture raid. Caine said the operation, involving more than 150 aircraft, followed months of preparation. Fort Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, was among the targets.
The vast base in southern Caracas is home to the defence ministry, a military academy and housing units for thousands of troops and their families. AFP reporters saw flames and huge plumes of smoke rising from the complex. At one of the entrances, which was still guarded, an armoured vehicle and a truck were pocked with bullet marks.
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