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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Two courts in Karnataka receive bomb threats, police launch probe
Dharwad/Mandya (Karnataka) (PTI): A bomb threat email was sent to the Karnataka High Court's Dharwad Bench and the district court in Mandya, prompting authorities to conduct extensive search operations on Monday, police said.
As a precautionary measure, lawyers and staff were evacuated from the court buildings in Dharwad and Mandya districts, they said.
Security personnel cordoned off the premises and carried out thorough checks, police said.
In Dharwad, Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya visited the spot and inspected the High Court premises following the threat. Police launched a comprehensive search operation, and as a precautionary measure, everyone was evacuated from the building.
According to police, personnel from the bomb squad also reached the scene and continued the inspection.
Speaking to reporters in Dharwad, Arya said, "We are conducting a full inspection. Only our personnel are inside. The email message says the explosion would occur at 1:15 pm. We are gathering more information about the remaining details. The message also contains references to different states, so we cannot share further information at this moment."
In Mandya too, court proceedings were suspended following the bomb threat email. Judges, lawyers and litigants were evacuated from the premises.
The Bomb Disposal Squad, along with police, is carrying out a thorough search operation, officials said, adding that further investigation is underway.
