Overview
- President Lee Jae Myung directed agencies to thoroughly protect South Korean nationals in Venezuela and to finalize detailed evacuation plans for rapid execution if conditions worsen.
- The Foreign Ministry activated an overseas nationals protection task force and held an emergency meeting led by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina to map contingency options.
- Officials estimate roughly 70 South Koreans reside in Venezuela, including about 50 in Caracas, with no casualties reported as of Saturday evening.
- U.S. President Donald Trump said American forces conducted a large-scale strike and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, with reports of explosions and a fire at Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas.
- Venezuela declared a national emergency, mobilized troops, and accused the United States of intervening to remove Maduro and seize control of the country’s oil reserves.