Latest: US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife
Caracas (Venezuela) (AP): The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington — an extraordinary nighttime operation announced by President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack.
Multiple explosions rang out, and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas, the capital, as Maduro's government immediately accused the US of attacking civilian and military installations. The Venezuelan government called it an “imperialist attack” and urged citizens to take to the streets.
Trump announced the developments on Truth Social shortly after 4:30 am ET and said he would host a news conference at 11 am ET.
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Here's the latest:
Colombia prepares to receive refugees from Venezuela
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President Gustavo Petro of Colombia, one of Trump's fiercest critics, said the Colombian government convened a national security meeting before dawn Saturday and sent security forces to the border in preparation for a potential “massive influx of refugees” from neighbouring Venezuela.
He said he'd also call on the UN Security Council to consider “the aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and of Latin America.”
“Without sovereignty, there is no nation,” Petro wrote on social media.
Russia calls US action an act of armed aggression'
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Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned what it called a US “act of armed aggression” against Venezuela in a statement posted on its Telegram channel Saturday.
“Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, outside intervention,” the statement said.
The ministry called for dialogue to prevent further escalation and said it reaffirmed its “solidarity” with the Venezuelan people and government, adding that Russia supports calls for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
State Department urges Americans in Venezuela to shelter in place
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The State Department issued a new travel alert early Saturday, warning Americans in Venezuela to “shelter in place” due to the situation.
“US Embassy Bogota is aware of reports of explosions in and around Caracas, Venezuela,” it said without elaboration.
“The US Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, warns US citizens not to travel to Venezuela. US citizens in Venezuela should shelter in place.” The embassy in Bogota has been shuttered since March 2019 but operates remotely.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio retweeted Trump's announcement without comment, but his deputy, Christopher Landau, posted Trump's statement, adding that it marked “a new dawn for Venezuela!” “The tyrant is gone. He will now—finally—face justice for his crimes,” Landau said.
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Bengaluru: CCB police busts black marketing of IPL tickets, 11 arrested
Bengaluru: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) police have arrested 11 people, including one from Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly selling tickets in black for the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 5.
According to police, a total of 28 tickets worth Rs 4.5 lakh and eight mobile phones were seized from the accused.
Acting on tipoff that match tickets were being sold at double the original price within the limits of Cubbon Park and Chamarajpet police stations, the CCB police conducted a raid ahead of the match, sources said.
A total of seven cases have been registered in connection with the incident.
Under the jurisdiction of Cubbon Park police station, 10 accused were arrested. Police seized seven mobile phones, 18 IPL tickets of various denominations, and WhatsApp screenshots allegedly used for online ticket sales.
In a separate action under the Chamarajpet police station limits, one person was arrested for selling IPL tickets at increased prices. Police recovered 10 tickets, one mobile phone, and WhatsApp screenshots from the accused, CCB sources added.
