U.S. Strikes Venezuela: Military Targets Hit in Major Operation
UPDATE: In a significant military operation early Saturday, U.S. forces targeted multiple locations across northern Venezuela, aiming to detain President Nicolas Maduro. The strikes were confirmed to have occurred around 2 a.m. local time, with reports detailing explosions in key areas such as Higuerote and the coastal port of La Guaira.
The U.S. mission focused on critical military infrastructure, including surface-to-air missile systems and communications complexes, as part of an intricate strategy to incapacitate Maduro’s regime. Notably, the presidential palace, the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, was conspicuously left untouched, indicating a targeted approach.
Videos and satellite imagery reviewed by ABC News revealed extensive destruction, notably at an airport in Higuerote, where a BUK missile system was destroyed. Footage showed damage to nearby aircraft and buildings, highlighting the operation’s intensity. Steve Ganyard, a retired colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, confirmed the presence of a Russian-supplied BUK system at the site.
As the operation unfolded, multiple explosions were reported, including a substantial blast at a major airbase in the La Carlota area of Caracas, where at least one BUK missile system was targeted. Further aerial assaults hit a communications complex on a mountain in the El Volcan area, destroying several buildings.
The scale of the operation was immense, with Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stating that over 150 aircraft were deployed, including fighter jets, bombers, and surveillance aircraft. The most concentrated strikes occurred around the large military complex at Fuerte Tiuna, where at least three separate targets were hit.
Analysis from Vantor, a data-satellite company, revealed that at least four buildings were destroyed across different locations, with one facility used for housing large vehicles completely obliterated. As of 11 a.m. local time, smoke was still rising from the ruins, indicating the operation’s immediate impact.
The situation remains fluid as authorities assess the aftermath. With the U.S. aiming to dismantle Maduro’s military capabilities, the geopolitical ramifications are profound. Observers are keenly watching for potential responses from the Venezuelan government and any escalation in the region.
The operation marks a decisive moment in U.S.-Venezuelan relations, raising questions about the future of Maduro’s leadership and the broader implications for stability in Latin America. As developments continue to unfold, the international community is urged to stay tuned for the latest updates.
