UPDATE: In a dramatic escalation, U.S. forces launched a series of targeted strikes across northern Venezuela early Saturday, focusing on vital military assets amid efforts to detain President Nicolas Maduro. At approximately 2 a.m. local time, explosions rocked locations including the towns of Higuerote and La Guaira, marking a significant shift in U.S. military engagement in the region.
The strikes were aimed at crucial components of Venezuela’s military infrastructure, including surface-to-air missile systems and communication facilities. Notably, the iconic Miraflores Palace, Maduro’s official residence in Caracas, was conspicuously untouched, signaling a strategic focus on military rather than political targets.
According to an analysis by ABC News, the operation utilized over 150 aircraft, which included fighter jets, bombers, and surveillance planes. Among the key targets was a Russian-supplied BUK missile system, destroyed at La Carlota Air Base in Caracas. Video footage confirmed the destruction of a missile system, alongside damage to nearby infrastructure, illustrating the operation’s intensity.
Explosions were confirmed at several strategic points; in Higuerote, significant damage occurred at the local airport, where video evidence showed the remnants of a missile system next to a damaged aircraft. In La Guaira, large explosions were reported, with images capturing billowing smoke clouds, though the specific military assets targeted remain unclear.
Further inland, five key targets around Caracas faced strikes, including a communications complex in El Volcan, where multiple buildings were reportedly destroyed. The ramifications of these attacks are profound, as they indicate a shift in U.S. strategy towards more aggressive military operations in Venezuela.
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided insights during a briefing, indicating that the mission’s success involved a complex coordination of military resources.
The strikes appear to have caused significant destruction, as satellite imagery from Vantor reveals multiple buildings reduced to rubble, with ongoing smoke billowing from the sites. This operation is unprecedented in its scale and precision, raising questions about the future of U.S.-Venezuela relations.
As the situation develops, officials are closely monitoring the aftermath of the strikes. The impacts on civilian life and regional stability are yet to be fully assessed, but the urgency of the operation underscores the high stakes involved.
This unfolding story is expected to dominate headlines in the coming days, with analysts predicting further military and diplomatic repercussions.
Stay tuned for live updates and further developments as this critical situation progresses.
