U.S. carries out military strikes on Venezuela, several countries condemn attack

The United States on Saturday conducted military strikes inside Venezuela, with explosions rocking the capital, Caracas, in the early hours of the morning, following months of a military and tension buildup.

The Venezuelan government said the strikes targeted civilian and military sites in at least four states, including Greater Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, and called the U.S. action a blatant violation of the UN Charter.

Low-flying aircraft were heard, and clouds of smoke were seen following loud explosions at around 2 a.m. (0600 GMT) Saturday in Caracas.

Reports said some areas experienced brief power cuts, including a military base in Caracas.

In an official statement, the Venezuelan government said that President Nicolas Maduro had "ordered all national defense plans to be implemented" and declared "a state of external disturbance."

Shortly after the attack bagan, CBS White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs cited U.S. officials who said that President Donald Trump had ordered the strikes, while FOX News reported that U.S. officials had confirmed the bombings. The Venezuelan government said the goal of the attack was for the United States to take possession of the country's oil and minerals, adding that the United States "will not succeed."

Trump has claimed in a Truth Social post that the U.S. had captured Maduro and his wife and flown them out of the country. He confirmed that the United States launched "a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro."

"There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago," Trump added.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration early Saturday barred U.S. aircraft from flying at any altitude within Venezuelan airspace following reports of explosions in Caracas, citing "safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity."

Trump has long sought a "blockade" of Venezuelan oil, expanded sanctions against the Maduro government, and staged more than two dozen strikes on vessels that the U.S. alleges were involved in trafficking drugs in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Last week, Trump revealed the United States had hit a "dock area" in Venezuela allegedly linked to "drug boats," marking the first known time Washington has carried out land operations in the Latin American country since the pressure campaign began.

Over the past few months, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and about 15,000 troops, largely off Venezuela's coast, purportedly to combat drug trafficking. Venezuela has denounced the claim as a thinly veiled attempt to topple the government in Caracas.

World reacts to U.S. attack

Colombia:

Colombian President Gustavo Petro called on the United Nations and the Organization of American States to convene an emergency meeting. "Right now they are bombing Caracas," he wrote on X early on Saturday morning. "Alert to the whole world, they have attacked Venezuela. They are bombing with missiles."

Petro noted that the previous day, Colombia had become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and said the the organization needed to "establish the international legality of the aggression against Venezuela." He added that his country has activated its command post at the border with Venezuela.

Cuba:

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday condemned what he described as the "criminal attack" by the United States against Venezuela, demanding an urgent response from the international community.

In a social media post, the president said that Latin America was being brutally assaulted, and called it "state terrorism against the brave people of Venezuela and against Our America."

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also condemned the ongoing U.S. military aggression against Venezuela on Saturday. In a message posted on social media, the diplomat said the bombings and military actions against Caracas and other localities in the country are cowardly acts against a nation that has not attacked the United States or any other country.

Russia:

Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, said the U.S. attack on Venezuela violates international law and will be condemned by the international community.

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed its deep concern over the attack. "The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded," the ministry said, adding that in the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue.

Iran:

Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday strongly condemned the U.S. military attack on Venezuela, calling it a "flagrant violation" of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement, the ministry described the attack as an "act of aggression" and a clear breach of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law prohibiting the use of force against sovereign states.

Iran reaffirmed Venezuela's right to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-determination, and urged the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibility by immediately halting what it described as a U.S. "invasion" of the country.

Chile:

Chilean President Gabriel Boric on Saturday denounced the U.S. strikes against Venezuela, saying that the Chilean government expresses concern and condemnation of the U.S. military action in Venezuela, calling for a peaceful resolution.

Boric said the Venezuelan crisis must be resolved through dialogue and multilateral support, not through violence or foreign interference.

European Union (EU):

Kaja Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said on Saturday that the EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela. 

"Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint," she said in a social media post.

Italy:

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Saturday in a note that she was "closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela."

Spain:

Spain said on Saturday it is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela following U.S. strikes, stressing the need for de-escalation, respect for international law, and a negotiated solution to the crisis.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said it is "following closely the situation in Venezuela, in a coordinated manner with our partners in the EU and the countries of the region."

Indonesia:

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on social media X on Saturday that the Indonesian government through the Indonesian Embassy in Caracas continues to carefully monitor the development of the situation in Venezuela.

"Indonesia also calls on all parties concerned to prioritize a peaceful settlement through de-escalation measures and dialogue, and to continue to prioritize the protection of civilians," the ministry said.

(With input from agencies)