Background and Context
Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the United States had successfully conducted a large-scale attack against Venezuela and its leader, Nicolás Maduro. This announcement came after early morning strikes in Caracas on Saturday.
Nicolás Maduro, who has been the President of Venezuela since 2013, was accused by the U.S. of electoral fraud in the July 2024 elections. The U.S. Department of Justice formally charged Maduro with narcotrafficking in 2020 and offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Trump considered Maduro’s rule illegitimate and pushed for his removal.
Key Developments
- US Attacks: The U.S. targeted Caracas and the neighboring states of Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua with a large-scale attack.
- Capture of Maduro: Trump announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and removed from the country.
- Charges Announced: The U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi, stated that Maduro and his wife would “face the full rigor of U.S. justice in U.S. courts.”
- Venezuelan Response: The Venezuelan government denounced the bombings, claiming they affected civilian populations, though no concrete evidence was provided.
Background on Maduro and US-Venezuela Relations
Nicolás Maduro, who describes his government as socialist, has long accused the U.S. of attempting to overthrow him and seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the largest in the world. The U.S. has increased pressure on Maduro through military deployments in the Caribbean and allegations of drug trafficking.
“Pensé que era un temblor”
The early morning explosions in Caracas were first reported by AFP journalists around 2:00 AM local time. One of the targets was the Tiuna Fortress, Venezuela’s most important military installation. Images from state channel VTV showed fallen gates and burning buses at La Carlota, a Caracas airbase.
Residents described hearing explosions and the sound of planes overhead for about an hour. Some thought it was an earthquake, while others sought safety in windowless spaces.
International Reactions
Countries allied with Venezuela, including Russia, Iran, and Cuba, condemned the U.S. attacks, along with Mexico’s leftist government. The EU’s diplomatic chief called for restraint, while Spain offered to mediate for a peaceful resolution.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro mobilized troops along the border and demanded immediate meetings at the OAS and UN.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Nicolás Maduro? Nicolás Maduro has been the President of Venezuela since 2013. He describes his government as socialist and has been accused by the U.S. of electoral fraud.
- What are the US allegations against Maduro? The U.S. accuses Maduro of narcotrafficking and electoral fraud. A $50 million reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
- How did Venezuela and the international community react? The Venezuelan government denounced the attacks, while allied countries like Russia, Iran, and Cuba condemned them. Spain offered to mediate, and Mexico’s government also expressed disapproval.
