Nicolas Maduro (1).webp
The Digest:

Venezuela’s Defense Minister has issued a grave condemnation, accusing US forces of striking residential neighborhoods in a sweeping military operation that President Trump declares led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

Key Points:
  • Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López stated that invading US forces used missiles and rockets from helicopters to strike civilian-populated residential areas.
  • Venezuela announced a "massive deployment" of all its military branches for comprehensive national defense.
  • The accusation follows President Trump's claim that US forces successfully captured Maduro and his wife in a "large-scale strike."
  • Trump stated the operation was conducted with U.S. law enforcement and plans to hold a news conference from Mar-a-Lago.
  • The US has not yet responded to the specific allegation of strikes on civilian areas.
  • This development sharply escalates the crisis from a regime-change operation to one with allegations of broader humanitarian impact.
As the world awaits Trump's detailed briefing, Venezuela's counter-accusation frames the US intervention not just as a political strike, but as an attack with devastating consequences for its civilian population.

Sources: Channels Television, AFP