Vladimir López, Venezuela’s defence minister, has accused the United States of unleashing a “criminal military aggression” against the South American nation.
Powerful blasts echoed across Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, leaving sections of the capital without electricity.
Afterwards, Donald Trump, president of the United States, announced that his country had successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, alongside his wife.
However, López in a video circulated on social media, explained that Venezuelan airspace came under heavy attack at dawn
He described the operation as “the most criminal military aggression by the US government in North America”.
The minister alleged that missiles and rockets launched from military helicopters hit residential areas in Caracas and also affected parts of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira states.
He said officials were still gathering details regarding civilians who may have been killed or injured during the strikes.
“This invasion represents the greatest outrage the country has ever suffered,” López said.
He accused the United States of breaching the United Nations charter and international law, urging global bodies and international partners to denounce the action.
The defence chief insisted the offensive was not about counterterrorism but an effort to force regime change and take control of Venezuela’s strategic assets.
“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 called on citizens and the armed forces to stay united in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and right to determine its future.