Maduro was captured by the US military's Delta Force, Venezuelan Vice President: demands proof of life.

According to American media reports on the 3rd, Venezuelan President Maduro was captured by the US Delta Force. The report stated that the Delta Force was tasked with killing the top leader of the extremist organization ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in 2019. Trump: Press Conference to be Held at Mar-a-Lago Estate to Announce Details of Operation in Venezuela On January 3rd local time, President Trump announced that a press conference will be held at Mar-a-Lago Estate at 11 a.m. on January 3rd. Trump stated that the US has successfully carried out strikes on Venezuela, capturing Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife, and taking them out of Venezuela. Trump said that the US has successfully carried out a massive strike against Venezuela and its leader President Maduro. Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of the country. This operation was carried out in conjunction with US law enforcement agencies. Further details will be announced gradually. According to Xinhua News Agency, CNN reported on the 3rd that the US Senate Armed Services Committee did not receive any notice of possible US military action in Venezuela. Columbia Broadcasting Corporation reported, citing two unnamed US officials, that Trump had approved ground strikes by the US military in Venezuela days before the operation. The military had discussed launching the strike on Christmas Day, but ultimately decided to first carry out airstrikes on ISIS targets in Nigeria. The US military had prepared for action multiple times after Christmas but had to cancel due to weather conditions. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning around 1 a.m. Eastern Time on the 3rd, prohibiting US commercial flights from entering Venezuelan airspace due to "flight safety risks related to ongoing military activities." Venezuelan Vice President states that the government does not know the whereabouts of President Maduro and his wife Xinhua News Flash: Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez stated on national television on the 3rd that the government does not know the current whereabouts of President Maduro and his wife, and "we demand evidence that they are alive." US media reports no casualties in US military operation in Venezuela The New York Times on the 3rd cited a US government official as saying that there were no casualties in the US military operation in Venezuela. Former Minister of the Interior of Venezuela dies in US military operation On January 3rd local time, former Minister of the Interior and former Director of the National Intelligence Service of Venezuela, Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, died in a US military operation against Venezuela. Venezuelan Minister of Defense: Counting casualties from the attack, all national defense plans have been activated On January 3rd local time, Venezuelan Defense Minister Lopez stated that casualties from the attack are being counted, and all national defense plans have been activated. US raids Venezuela and captures Maduro, many countries strongly condemn US President Trump announced on social media on the 3rd that the US had successfully carried out a massive strike against Venezuela, capturing President Maduro and his wife and taking them out of Venezuela. This came just about 3 hours after a loud noise was heard in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. Earlier, the Venezuelan government announced that Maduro had signed a decree declaring a national state of emergency nationwide, calling on all people to "immediately engage in armed struggle" to defeat imperialist aggression. Maduro has ordered the deployment of "integrated defense command posts" in all states and cities nationwide. The announcement strongly condemned the "extremely serious military aggression" by the current US government against Venezuelan territory and people. The military strikes targeted civil and military targets in Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states. The announcement stated that this action by the US blatantly violated the United Nations Charter, in particular, the provisions related to national sovereignty, legal equality, and the prohibition of the use of force. Venezuela will strictly reserve the right to legitimate self-defense according to the UN Charter and will file a complaint to the UN Security Council and others. Colombian President Petro said on social media that at least 10 Venezuelan targets, including the building where the parliament is located, the central city area of Caracas, and the El Altico airport, were bombed. Mountain military camps in Catia La Mar and Igrotet helicopter military bases were destroyed. In addition, the southern region of Caracas experienced a power outage. Petro said, "A warning to the world: Venezuela is under attack! They (the US) are launching missiles for bombardment." Petro called for an emergency meeting of the UN and the Organization of American States to address the situation immediately. Petro stated that the Colombian government is deeply concerned about the explosions and abnormal aerial activities in Venezuela and the ensuing escalation of tension in the region and strongly opposes any unilateral military actions that could exacerbate tension or endanger civilians. Cuban President Diaz-Canel condemned the "atrocities" of the US attack on Venezuela and called on the international community to take urgent action. "Our peace zone in Latin America is facing brutal attacks. This is a terrorist act against the brave Venezuelan people and our American countries." Cuban Foreign Minister Rodriguez stated that Cuba strongly condemns the "military aggression" by the US against Venezuela. US military actions against Venezuela "are despicable acts against a country that has never invaded the US or any other country." Russian Federation Council (Upper House of Parliament) Vice Chairman Kosachev said on social media that the US's attack on Venezuela violates international law and will be condemned by the vast majority of people globally. Venezuela poses no threat to the US, so the current US military action has no substantial basis. He said, "International law has obviously been violated." The vast majority of people globally will condemn it decisively. The Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the US military attack on Venezuela The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the 3rd strongly condemning the US military attack on Venezuela, flagrantly violating Venezuela's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement said that the US military attack on Venezuela blatantly violates the UN Charter and international law, constitutes an act of aggression, and openly undermines regional and international peace and security. Iran reiterated its support for Venezuela's legitimate right to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and called on relevant countries and international organizations to take action to stop the US's illegal aggression. This article is reprinted from the WeChat public account "Xinhua Daily Telegraph"; GMTEight editor: Yan Wencai.