CARACAS: After months of mounting military and economic pressure, the United States on Saturday (Jan 3) carried out airstrikes on targets across Venezuela and claimed to have deposed authoritarian left-wing President Nicolas Maduro.
Here’s what we know so far:
HOW DID IT START?
The first explosions, accompanied by the sound of aircraft flying overhead, were heard in the capital Caracas and surrounding areas shortly before 2am (6am GMT), AFP reporters said.
They continued until around 3.15am.
Images shared on social media showed helicopters silhouetted against the night sky and missiles slamming into targets, creating fireballs and huge plumes of smoke.
Trump said at 9.21am GMT on his Truth Social platform that the United States had “successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela” and that Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the Country”.
Around five hours after the attacks began, US Senator Mike Lee cited US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as saying that the military action had ended “now that Maduro is in custody”.
WHAT DID THE STRIKES TARGET?
Fort Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, situated in southern Caracas, was among the targets.
The vast base is home to the defence ministry, a military academy and housing units for troops and their families.
AFP reporters saw flames and huge plumes of smoke rising from the complex.
At one of the entrances, which was still guarded, AFP reporters saw an armoured vehicle and truck pocked with bullet marks.
Residents pulling suitcases and carrying bags fled the area.
One woman, who did not wish to be named, said she was leaving “because they nearly killed us”.
There was no word yet on casualties.
La Carlota airbase east of Caracas was also targeted.
AFP reporters saw an armoured vehicle at the base in flames and a burnt-out bus.
Explosions were also reported in the port city of La Guaira north of Caracas, as well as in the north-central city of Maracay, Higuerote on the Caribbean coast, and on the border with Colombia, a cocaine smuggling route.