Foreign media including CBS, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), and Reuters reported on the 3rd (local time) that U.S. government officials confirmed President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on Venezuela.
CBS, citing U.S. officials, said President Trump ordered airstrikes on Venezuela, and Reuters, citing an anonymous U.S. government official, also reported that as of early morning that day the United States was carrying out airstrike operations in Venezuela. Earlier, CBS, citing two anonymous government sources, said President Trump approved the Venezuela airstrike operation a few days ago.
According to sources, the U.S. government discussed airstrikes on Venezuela on Christmas Day, but at the time judged that strikes targeting the Islamic State (ISIS), commonly known as IS, in Nigeria were the priority. U.S. forces carried out airstrikes targeting ISIS in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas.
The WSJ also reported, citing a U.S. official, that U.S. military operations are currently underway in Venezuela. The official declined to specify the targets and said the White House plans to issue a statement after U.S. forces leave Venezuelan airspace.
However, CNN reported that the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee was not notified in advance of the operation. According to the New York Times (NYT), President Trump is currently staying in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, and was briefed on national security the previous evening. Over the past few days, President Trump met repeatedly with foreign leaders at Mar-a-Lago, accompanied by key national security advisers.
In the early morning hours, multiple explosions were heard in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, and aircraft were seen flying at low altitude. Power outages also occurred in some areas.
The Venezuelan government declared a national state of emergency, saying the United States attacked civilian and military facilities, and ordered the mobilization of all available forces.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombia later referred to the explosions in Caracas and elsewhere and advised U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Venezuela and remain in safe locations. On Dec. 3 last year, the U.S. government designated Venezuela as Level 4, the highest travel ban level, and strongly urged all Americans staying in the country to leave immediately.
In 2019, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Venezuela and withdrew all diplomats, and the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela is effectively closed.