Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Vladimir López, has accused the United States of carrying out what he described as a “criminal military aggression” against the country following a series of early-morning explosions in the capital, Caracas.
The blasts, which occurred on Saturday, reportedly knocked out electricity in parts of the city.
The development came hours before US President Donald Trump announced on social media that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured by US forces.
In a video statement shared online, López said Venezuelan airspace was violated in the early hours of the day, calling the incident “the most criminal military aggression by the US government in North America.”
He alleged that missiles and rockets launched from combat helicopters struck residential and urban areas in Caracas, as well as locations in Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states. According to him, authorities were still gathering details on civilian casualties and injuries resulting from the attacks.
“This invasion represents the greatest outrage the country has ever suffered,” López said.
The defence minister accused Washington of breaching the United Nations Charter and international law, and urged the international community and multilateral bodies to denounce the action.
López insisted the operation was not aimed at combating terrorism but was instead an attempt to force regime change and gain control of Venezuela’s strategic resources.
“They have attacked us but they will not vanquish us,” he said.
“We will form an indestructible wall of resistance; our vocation is peace, but our heritage is the fight for freedom.”
He also called on Venezuelans and members of the armed forces to stand together in defence of national sovereignty and the country’s right to self-determination.
