BREAKING: Maduro has issued a decree declaring a state of emergency in the country.

Venezuelan Government Statement:

Venezuela rejects “military aggression” by the United States.

Goal of the U.S. attack is to take possession of Venezuelan oil and minerals.

U.S. helicopter, possibly an AH-1Z Viper, firing guns and rockets at ground targets in Caracas, Venezuela.

Venezuelan Government Statement:

We will confront the imperialist aggression by activating all defense plans.

Venezuelan Government Statement:

Maduro has ordered all national defense plans to be put in place for implementation at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances.

Maduro had met with an envoy of Xi Jinping approximately 10 hours earlier.

The home of the Venezuelan Defense Minister was shelled at Fort Tiuna military base; there is no information yet on his fate.

Source: Al Jazeera, citing Venezuelan media

Trump authorized the U.S. military to carry out land strikes in Venezuela days in advance.

Military planners initially considered launching the operation on Christmas Day, but it was postponed due to competing U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria and later delayed further by unfavorable weather conditions.

Source: CBS News

Another video showing U.S. military strikes on Venezuela.

Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez:

Cuba denounces and urgently demands the reaction of the international community against the criminal attack by the U.S. on Venezuela.

NYT:

We are unsure where Maduro is at the moment. But at least some people in his inner circle appeared safe.

DR Congo: M23 rebels clashed with FARDC, backed by Wazalendo militias, near Buhimba in Walikale this morning, as fighting resumed around Kilongo.

Reports claim a U.S. airstrike hit Caracas’ Cuartel de la Montaña 4F, the historic barracks housing Hugo Chávez’s museum and mausoleum.

Colombian President Petro claims that the United States has struck the Venezuelan parliament building.

The Senate Armed Services Committee was not informed in advance of any potential U.S. military action carried out tonight in Venezuela.

Source: CNN

Iranian Foreign Ministry:

The U.S. attack on Venezuela is a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.

BREAKING: Trump says Venezuela’s Maduro and his wife captured and flown out of the country.

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Trump:

There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago.

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was reported safe.

Source: WSJ

Nicolás Maduro, in power for more than 12 years, has been captured by U.S. forces in Venezuela.

Venezuelan Defense Minister is alive and speaks:

We will not negotiate, we will not surrender, and we will ultimately triumph.

NOTE: Maduro has been captured by U.S. forces.