Caracas Bombed: Death Toll Hits 80 After US Forces Launch Incursion Into Venezuela

Caracas Bombed: Death Toll Hits 80 After US Forces Launch Incursion Into Venezuela

The death toll from Saturday’s United States invasion of Venezuela has risen to 80, according to a report by The New York Times, amid growing international concern over the unfolding crisis in the South American nation.

A senior Venezuelan official, quoted in the report, said the casualties include civilians and members of the security forces, warning that the figure could increase as rescue and assessment efforts continue.

The invasion began in the early hours of Saturday, with multiple explosions rocking Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, triggering panic across the city.

Hours later, US President Donald Trump announced on social media that American forces had successfully captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife during what he described as a large-scale military operation.

Addressing journalists at a press conference after the attack, Trump declared that the United States would take control of Venezuela’s affairs until a political transition is completed.

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“We don’t want to be involved with having somebody else get in and end up with the same situation we’ve had for a long period of years,” Trump said, adding that any transition “has to be judicious.”

He described the military operation as “an incredible thing to see,” insisting that no US soldiers were killed and that no American military equipment was lost during the invasion.

However, Venezuela’s Defence Minister reportedly dismissed claims that the United States would “run” the country, rejecting Washington’s authority over Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the White House said it expects Venezuela’s government, now under interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, to align with US demands following the capture of Maduro.

Trump has repeatedly warned of further action against what he described as drug trafficking networks in Venezuela, stating that additional ground strikes would commence soon.

In October, the US President disclosed that he had authorised the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to operate inside Venezuela as part of efforts to curb the illegal flow of migrants and narcotics into the United States.

The weekend invasion followed months of US military buildup in the region, raising fears of prolonged instability and wider geopolitical consequences.

Caracas Bombed: Death Toll Hits 80 After US Forces Launch Incursion Into Venezuela