Explosions in Caracas

Heavy explosions in Venezuela’s capital

Donald Trump confirmed that the USA has attacked Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and taken out of the country.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/AFP (3))

Donald Trump is flexing his muscles in Venezuela. The US president initially ordered military attacks on the capital Caracas. A short time later, the 79-year-old declared that an elite US unit had arrested the authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro and taken him out of the country. Venezuela then announced that it would not capitulate.

"The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale attack against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro," Trump wrote on his online service Truth Social on Saturday morning.

Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out. The operation was carried out in cooperation with US law enforcement authorities.

Delta Force is said to have captured Maduro
US officials confirmed to CBS News that Maduro was arrested by members of the Delta Force early on Saturday morning. The elite unit was already involved in the operation in 2019 in which the former IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed. Further details to follow. Trump announced a press conference in Mar-a-Lago for 5 pm. He had previously stated that Maduro's days were "numbered".

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the USA has attacked Venezuela. It was a large-scale attack against the country and its leader, Trump announced on Saturday. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and taken out of the country.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/AFP (3))

Government demands signs of life from the president
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced a "massive" deployment of all military means. "We will not surrender", he said. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez explained that it was currently not known where Maduro and his wife were and demanded "immediate proof" that they were both still alive. The opposition did not comment initially.

US government intensifies campaign against Maduro
According to CBS, Trump had already given the military the green light for ground attacks in Venezuela a few days ago. Other US airstrikes had initially taken priority. Citing US officials, journalist Jennifer Jacobs wrote that the government had stepped up its campaign against the Maduro regime early on Saturday morning.

International criticism of US attacks
Maduro's government spoke of military aggression and mobilized defence forces. Even before Trump's announcement of the arrest, Maduro declared a national state of emergency. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro spoke of a bombardment of Caracas and called for an immediate meeting of the OAS and the United Nations. Cuba and Iran also condemned the US attack.

Explosions and power cuts in Caracas
According to AFP, the attack began at around 2 a.m. local time. Several detonations were reported. The Fuerte Tiuna military base, the La Carlota air base and the port of La Guaira are said to have been among the targets attacked. Videos showed helicopters, explosions and clouds of smoke, and parts of Caracas lost power. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned US aircraft from Venezuelan airspace.

Longstanding threats and growing pressure on Maduro
Trump had repeatedly threatened to intervene in Venezuela in the past and called on Maduro to withdraw. The US government accuses Caracas of facilitating drug smuggling to the USA and has expanded its military presence in the region. Sanctions have also been tightened and a blockade of Venezuelan oil exports announced.

Oil reserves and dispute over Washington's motives
Maduro rejects the accusations and accuses Washington of wanting to force a change of power and targeting the country's huge oil reserves. Venezuela has the largest confirmed oil reserves in the world, but production is far below potential levels due to sanctions, mismanagement and a lack of investment.