US President Donald Trump approved the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro several days ago. On Saturday, America carried out strikes targeting both military and civilian installations in Venezuela, resulting in the reported capture of Maduro and his wife.
At present, their exact whereabouts remain unclear The operation has been reportedly carried out by the US army’s Delta Force, according to a person familiar with the matter, CNN reported. This is the same elite unit of US army which was also responsible for the killing of Bagdadi and cspture of Saddam Hussain.
The CIA tracked Maduro’s location, after being authorised months ago by Trump to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela.Also read: Democracy, drugs or oil? Why Trump is gunning for Venezuela's Maduro - explained President Trump claimed he watched the capture of Maduro live, “like a TV show.”Trump also said, the US waited for four days in order to conduct the operation in Venezuela, and that he is deciding as to what next about leadership in Caracas. "Waited four days for operation, for better weather," adding "Making decision on what's next for Venezuela leadership," as quoted by Reuters.The captured Venezuelan leader is expected to face trial in the United States, though his precise location remains unclear, the source added.
Trump has publicly stated he authorised the CIA to carry out covert action in Venezuela. Asked if the agency had been instructed to “take out Maduro,” the president replied that answering would be “ridiculous.”According to Ned Price, former CIA senior analyst, covert action includes “information operations… sabotage… funding opposition parties… [or] the overthrow of a regime,” BBC reported. Analysts suggested CIA operations could target
Dr Christopher Sabatini, senior fellow at Chatham House, in comments to BBC previously said that Venezuela lacks major narcotics labs, meaning any strike would likely target military or government sites, potentially escalating tensions in the region, which is exactly what transpired on Saturday. The operation follows earlier US military and economic pressure on Venezuela, including airstrikes and sanctions, as part of the Trump administration’s campaign against Maduro’s government.
Curated by Aisha Patel
