Venezuela Defense Minister Vows to Resist Foreign Troops Amid U.S. Strikes
Venezuela faces heightened tensions after Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López vowed to resist foreign military presence following reported U.S. strikes targeting civilian and strategic areas.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said the country will resist foreign forces, confirming that U.S. troops carried out a “major military attack” early Saturday targeting civilian-populated areas.
Padrino López added that the Venezuelan government is gathering information on potential casualties from the strikes but did not provide details on President Nicolás Maduro’s condition.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and his wife were “captured” by U.S. forces. CBS News reported that Delta Force units carried out the operation.
The attacks come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Venezuela, as Trump’s administration had previously threatened military action to counter alleged drug trafficking and protect U.S. interests.
Local residents in Caracas reported hearing multiple explosions and seeing smoke rising from military installations, while electricity outages affected southern neighborhoods near key bases.
The U.S. has been applying pressure on Maduro’s government for months, including airstrikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, sanctions, and the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers.
Humanitarian concerns have risen as reports of casualties and damage to civilian areas emerge. International organizations have warned that escalation could destabilize the region further.
Venezuela’s economy, already suffering from hyperinflation, shortages of essential goods, and widespread poverty, faces increasing instability amid growing anti-government protests and unrest.
Experts note that the U.S. military presence in Venezuela could trigger broader geopolitical tensions in Latin America, with potential responses from allies of Maduro’s government. The situation remains fluid, with conflicting reports on Maduro’s whereabouts and condition.
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