Venezuela will not negotiate or surrender, says defence minister | Updates

New Delhi: Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro has been captured by US forces, says US President Donald Trump. He made this declaration on Truth Social. Earlier US forces had bombed several cities in the country, including capital Caracas. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said in a video early on Saturday that the country will resist the presence of foreign troop.

Maduro had declared an emergency as multiple cities, including the country's capital Caracas saw multiple explosions at 2 am local time on Saturday. Reuters reported that eyewitnesses saw a column of smoke and at least 7 low-flying aircraft over the capital city. The government of the country has blamed these attacks on the US.

The Venezuela government said that the US will not be able to take resources from their country, despite launching the attack. They called upon all social and political forces to activate mobilization plans.

The US media meanwhile has confirmed that the US did indeed launched an attack on Venezuela. CBS in a post on X said that President Donald Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela. These included attacks on military facilities, according to the channel.

Meanwhile, the Venezuela government alleged that the aim of the US strikes was to take control of the country's oil and minerals. They claimed that the cities of Miranda, Atagua and La Guaira States was attacked, apart from the capital Caracas. A total of 7 explosions were heard in the capital city alone.  

In an official statement, Venezuela's government said that they "reject military aggression by the US government."

The attacks come at a time when the US has said that it is targeting drug smuggling boats passing through the region. Recently Venezuela had said it was open to negotiating an agreement with the United States to combat drug trafficking. But before any talks could have taken place, the country has come under attack. 

Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro has been captured, claimed US President Donald Trump in a post on Social media. 

In a post on Truth Social, the US President said, "The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 am, at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"