US Launched Coordinated Strikes on Venezuela After Delays Due to Weather and Other Operations

The United States has conducted a series of military strikes targeting multiple locations in Venezuela, following days of strategic delays attributed to weather conditions and competing military priorities. Newly surfaced details reveal that authorization for these operations was granted by former President Donald Trump well in advance of their execution.

Military preparations for the operation began several days before the strikes occurred. Initial plans placed the commencement of the mission on Christmas Day. However, according to officials familiar with the planning, the operation was postponed due to the prioritization of US airstrikes against ISIS positions in Nigeria. This delay was followed by further postponements, as military strategists sought optimal weather conditions to ensure mission success.

The coordinated attacks took place in the early hours, with reports of at least seven explosions in Caracas around 2:00 AM local time. The primary targets included significant military installations such as Fuerte Tiuna, the capital's main army base, as well as facilities in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. The selection of these targets was intended to disrupt Venezuela's military capabilities and infrastructure.

In response to the strikes, the US Federal Aviation Administration imposed an immediate ban on all American civilian aircraft from operating within Venezuelan airspace. The ban cited heightened risks to flight safety due to ongoing military activities, underscoring the operational scale and the potential hazards for civilian aviation during the conflict.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded by declaring a national state of emergency. The Venezuelan government issued a statement condemning the US military action, describing it as an act of aggression and ordering the implementation of comprehensive defense protocols. Authorities called for the mobilization of national resources in response to the attacks. US officials have confirmed that President Maduro and his spouse have been detained and removed from the country as a result of the operation.

The US administration in the months leading up to the strikes had escalated its campaign against the Maduro government, employing a combination of direct military action and economic measures. This included targeting alleged drug trafficking operations and enforcing blockades against vessels transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil. The US government repeatedly characterized Venezuela as a state sponsor of narcotics trafficking, asserting that the ruling administration posed a threat to US national security, although such claims were not independently substantiated in the reporting.

These developments have further intensified diplomatic tensions in the region, drawing international attention to the evolving security landscape in Latin America. The operation's timing and execution reflect the complexities faced by military planners in balancing global strategic objectives and adapting to rapidly changing operational circumstances.