US Military Attack in Venezuela Leaves at Least 40 Dead, Including Civilians and Soldiers

At least 40 people, including civilians and soldiers, were killed during a US military operation aimed at abducting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, according to a report published by the New York Times. Citing a senior Venezuelan official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the report detailed the attack, which involved a large-scale aerial campaign to disable Venezuela’s air defenses before ground forces were deployed. Over 150 US aircraft were reportedly dispatched to knock out air defenses, allowing military helicopters to deliver troops who assaulted Maduro’s position. US forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, early Saturday, flying them out of the country. The White House and Pentagon have not publicly confirmed the casualty figures or the full scope of the operation. Critics have warned that the attack violates international law and risks further destabilization in Venezuela and the region.