Finally the tensions between the United States and Venezuela have explodedOn the night of January 3rd Strong explosions were heard in CaracasThe explosions in the Venezuelan capital began around 2am local time, 7am in Italy, accompanied by "noises similar to those of planes in flight” and of the Blackout extended in the southern part of the city, near a large military baseWitnesses and journalists on the scene reported that columns of smoke visible from a distance and repeated detonations for at least fifteen minutes.
According to the reconstructions gathered in the following hours, at least seven explosions were reportedly heard in various areas of the capital, while military aircraft flew low over the city. In several neighborhoods, electricity went out immediately after the first detonations. New York Times reports that the American operation has caused deaths and injuries among the civilian population, although no official balance is currently available.
Trump: "Maduro caught," U.S. Justice Department says "he will be indicted in New York."
The explosions occurred while the US president Donald Trump had once again raised the possibility of ground operations against Venezuela, saying that President Nicolás Maduro's days were "numbered." Washington has in recent months strengthened its military presence in the region, with a naval flotilla in the Caribbean and advanced assets deployed in the area.
In the morning Trump has openly claimed responsibility for the operation and then the surprise blow: “Maduro was arrested with his wife and taken out of the country“, declared the American president, confirming “the large-scale attack conducted successfully”.
Al News, the US president called the raid "good planning and excellent troops. It was a brilliant operation." Asked if he had asked for theauthorization to Congress and what the next steps will be for Venezuela, Trump responded that he will address these issues during a A press conference is scheduled for 5:00 PM Italian time at Mar-a-Lago..
Secondo CBS News, the operation would have been authorized directly by the White House days before of the start of the bombings. "Trump ordered the attacks," U.S. administration sources quoted the American broadcaster as saying.
How Maduro was captured
US officials later clarified to the media that Nicolás Maduro has reportedly been captured on Saturday morning from members of the Delta Force, the elite US military unit specializing in extremely high-risk operations. The same unit was responsible for the 2019 operation that killed former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
According to reports at Fox from former Pentagon official Brent Sadler, shortly before the capture Maduro was on board a car and was answering journalists' questions. Sadler added that "there was almost no resistance" from Venezuelan forces. This version contrasts, at least in part, with the claims of sources within the Caracas opposition cited by Sky News, according to which the capture and Maduro's transfer would have occurred through a "negotiated exit"".
Meanwhile the Wall Street Journal, citing sources close to the Venezuelan government, reported that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was “safe and sound”.
According to what was stated by the Republican senator Mike Lee, quoted by CNN, Maduro “he was arrested and will be tried“. Lee explained that he received the information directly from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “He informed me that Maduro was arrested for being tried on criminal charges in the United States and that tonight's action was taken to protect and defend those who were executing the arrest warrant,” the senator said.
The judicial framework has also been confirmed by the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who announced theMaduro and his wife indicted in New York. “Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York,” Bondi wrote on X, explaining that Maduro is accused of “conspiracy to commit drug trafficking and terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and explosive orders against the United States".
“Soon they will have to to face the force of American justice on American soil and in American courts,” Bondi added, thanking President Donald Trump “for the courage to seek justice on behalf of the American people” and the U.S. military “who led the mission to capture these two alleged drug traffickers.”
Trump: "They're now involved in the oil industry. His successor? Maybe Machado. We'll see."
Before the announced press conference at Mar-a-Lago, US President Donald Trump released the first statements on the military operation in Venezuela. “I followed the operation in real time from Mar-a-Lago,” he said, assuring that there were no "casualties" among the American military, while confirming some injuries. "One of our helicopters was hit, but they all returned."
Trump explained that the the blitz had been ready for days"We wanted to take Maduro four days ago, but the bad weather didn't allow it." His residence was a "fortress." Trump also revealed that there would be contact attempts before action, “Maduro wanted to negotiate, but I didn't accept.”
The president opened the political and economic dossier on the future of the country. The United States, he said, will be "fheavily involved in Venezuela's oil industry“. Regarding the transition, Trump said that Washington “will evaluate whether it is possible” to entrust the guide of the country to María Corina Machado, leaving open the hypothesis of his role in the post-Maduro phase.
Military bases hit and city paralyzed
According to testimonies collected by local and international media, the raids would have hit strategic military targetsAmong the structures mentioned are: Fort Tiuna, La Carlota Air Base, the Mamo Military Academy and areas near the port of La Guaira. A video verified by CNN It shows two distinct plumes of smoke rising among the lights of the capital, with orange flashes at the base and new flashes followed by booms.
Residents of neighborhoods such as El Junquito, La Pastora, El Hatillo, and Los Ruices reported shaking windows and frightened people taking to the streets. An Italian resident in Caracas reported that "the bombing over the capital ceased around 4 a.m.," and that military jets "were in action for about two hours." An initial unofficial report indicates that the raids focused primarily on military areas, with no official confirmation of deaths or injuries among the armed forces.
According to Venezuelan media, the home of the Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino Lopez She was reportedly hit during the air raids. In the first hours following the attacks, the minister was unreachable, and some unconfirmed sources had spoken of her possible assassination.
In the following hours, however, Padrino López himself appeared in a video shared on social media, effectively denying the rumors about his fate. In the message, the minister announced the deployment of military forces throughout the country and denounced what he called a "cowardly attack" by the United States.But they will not subjugate us“, he said, calling for unity between the armed forces and the population. The message concluded with a call to resistance: “Dignity is not negotiable, together we will win.”
State of emergency and sky-high tension
Il Venezuelan government he reported a “very serious military aggression” attributed to the United States. President Maduro, before his capture, had declared a state of emergency and asked for the “mobilization” of the populationIn an official statement, the government stated that "the objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela's strategic resources" and that "the attempt to impose a colonial war to force a 'regime change' will fail."
From the international front, the Colombian president Gustavo Petro He wrote: “Caracas is under bombing right now. Alert the world: Venezuela has been attacked! They are bombing with missiles,” ccalling for an immediate meeting of the UN and the Organization of American States.
Petro then announced the Army deployment on the border with Venezuela, explaining that “if we deploy public forces at the border, we also deploy all the assistance forces we have in the event of a mass influx of refugees.”
Harsh condemnation also from MoscowAccording to Russian Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, “international law has been clearly violated.”
"I am following the situation with our diplomatic representation in Caracas, with particular attention to the Italian community. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is kept constantly informed. The Farnesina Crisis Unit is operational," declared the Foreign Minister. Antonio TajaniThe Italian embassy in Caracas urged Italians "to stay home and avoid travel," emphasizing that "the priority at this time is the safety" of the approximately 160 people of Italian origin present in the country.
Last update 17,06am
