The death toll from Saturday’s United States invasion of Venezuela has risen to at least 80, according to The New York Times, citing a senior Venezuelan official. The casualties include both civilians and members of the country’s security forces, and the number could increase as rescue and recovery operations continue. Earlier reports had put the figure at 40.

The attacks, which began in the early hours of Saturday, involved a series of powerful explosions in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, causing widespread panic and damage across the city. Hours later, US President Donald Trump announced via social media that American forces had successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro along with his wife.

Addressing reporters after the operation, Trump said the United States would oversee Venezuela’s affairs until a political transition is achieved. “We don’t want to be involved with having somebody else get in and end up with the same situation we’ve had for a long period of years,” he stated, adding that any transition “has to be judicious, because that’s what we’re all about.” He described the military operation as “an incredible thing to see,” insisting that no American soldiers were killed and no US military equipment was lost during the strike.

Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, however, reported that a significant portion of Maduro’s security detail was executed “in cold blood” during the abduction. He also rejected any suggestion that the United States would “run” the country, signalling resistance from elements of the Venezuelan state despite Maduro’s capture.

The White House maintains that Venezuela’s government, now under interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, will comply with US demands following the operation. Trump has repeatedly warned that Washington could take further action against alleged drug trafficking networks operating within Venezuela, noting that additional land-based strikes may follow.

The weekend assault comes after months of increased US military presence in the region, fueling fears of prolonged instability and potential wider repercussions across Latin America. In October, Trump disclosed that he had authorised the CIA to operate inside Venezuela to curb illegal drug flows and migration, setting the stage for the weekend’s dramatic operation.

______________________________________________________________________ “Artificial Intelligence for Lawyers: A Comprehensive Guide”, authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626     ________________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation ____________________________________________________