Cuba and Colombia have reacted to reports of United States military strikes on Venezuela following multiple explosions in the capital, Caracas, early Saturday, raising fresh concerns about regional stability in Latin America.
Residents of Caracas reported loud blasts across several districts, alongside sightings of warplanes, helicopters and what appeared to be unmanned aerial vehicles flying overhead.
Venezuela’s government described the incident as a “serious military aggression,” alleging that US forces targeted both civilian and military locations in Caracas as well as the surrounding states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
Former US President Donald Trump later claimed that American forces carried out the operation, announcing that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country. The claim has yet to be independently verified by international observers or US defence authorities.
In a strongly worded response, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the reported strike, calling on the international community to respond urgently. He described the action as a criminal violation of regional peace, accusing Washington of state terrorism against Venezuela and Latin America as a whole.
“Our zone of peace is under brutal assault,” Díaz-Canel said, expressing solidarity with the Venezuelan people and warning that the attack threatened stability across the region.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, however, adopted a more measured tone, saying his government was closely monitoring developments. While expressing concern over the reported explosions and increased aerial activity, Petro cautioned against further escalation.
“The Colombian government rejects any unilateral military action that could worsen the crisis or endanger civilians,” Petro said, stressing the need for restraint and dialogue.
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales also condemned the strikes, describing them as an imperialist assault on Venezuela’s sovereignty. He pledged solidarity with the Venezuelan people, insisting they were not facing the situation alone.
The developments come amid longstanding tensions between Washington and Caracas. The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Venezuela’s leadership of involvement in large-scale drug trafficking, allegations the Maduro government has consistently dismissed as a pretext for foreign intervention and regime change.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from the US government on the scope of the operation or the status of Venezuela’s leadership, while regional and international actors continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation.
Michael Olugbode
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