U.S. Launches Military Strikes Against Venezuela Following Months of Threats Against Maduro 

The United States launched military strikes against Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning, in a significant escalation of the Trump Administration’s effort to oust the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro. Several explosions were reported by witnesses in the capital, Caracas, beginning around 2 am local time. Videos posted to social media showed large explosions and what appeared to be U.S. military aircraft flying low over the city.  The Venezuelan government said attacks also occurred in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. Photographs showed parts of Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, engulfed in flames. Read more: Trump Advisors and Venezuela Opposition Leaders Plan for Maduro’s Departure President Donald Trump reportedly ordered the strikes inside Venezuela days ago, according to CBS News, after months of threats to expand a U.S. bombing campaign against alleged drug boats to targets inside the country. Trump has repeatedly called Maduro an illegitimate president and accused him of being responsible for smuggling drugs into the United States. He said in an interview last month that Maduro’s “days are numbered.” President Maduro declared a state of emergency in response to the attacks, according to a statement from the Venezuelan communications ministry. The statement said the government “rejects, repudiates, and denounces” U.S. military aggression. At least 115 people have been killed since September in the U.S. strikes against alleged boats that the Trump Administration claims are smuggling drugs. Analysts and legal experts have questioned the legality of the boat strikes, which have been carried out without congressional approval. The Trump Administration has been building up military forces in the region for months while ratcheting up threats against Venezuela’s government. The Pentagon deployed 10 F-35s to Puerto Rico. The U.S.S. Gerald Ford, thought to be the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier in the world, recently joined eight warships and some 10,000 troops already in the region. Trump also authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. Maduro responded directly to the revelation, calling the move a “desperate” attempt at regime change. A Pentagon spokesperson referred TIME’s questions to the White House. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.