Overview
- Explosions and low‑flying aircraft were reported around 2 a.m. over Caracas and nearby states including Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua, with the burst of attacks lasting under an hour and no confirmed casualty figures.
- Venezuela’s government denounced what it called U.S. military aggression, declared emergency measures, urged mobilization, and demanded proof of life for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores.
- The FAA barred U.S. commercial and private flights over Venezuelan airspace and later over Curaçao, citing safety risks from ongoing military activity.
- Trump announced a late‑morning press conference at Mar‑a‑Lago after posting that Maduro was captured, while the Pentagon and U.S. Southern Command offered no detailed public briefing and an unnamed U.S. official told Reuters strikes occurred.
- Regional and international reactions diverged as Colombia sought an emergency UN Security Council meeting and moved forces toward the border, allies of Caracas condemned the action, Argentina’s president praised it, and U.S. Senator Mike Lee questioned the operation’s legal basis.