40 killed in US airstrikes on Venezuela: Report

At least 40 people, including civilians and members of the armed forces, were killed in US airstrikes on Venezuela on Saturday, The New York Times reported, citing a senior Venezuelan official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The large-scale strikes were carried out in the early hours as US forces conducted an operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who are now being held in custody in New York.

The newspaper said it verified video footage showing heavy smoke and repeated explosions near La Carlota Airport in Caracas.

In Catia La Mar, west of the capital, an airstrike reportedly hit a three-storey residential building, destroying parts of its exterior walls. At least one elderly woman was killed and another person seriously injured.

US media, citing Venezuelan government sources, reported that military targets in Caracas as well as the coastal states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira were struck during the operation.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez earlier confirmed casualties among both civilians and military personnel but did not provide figures. US President Donald Trump said some American personnel were injured during the operation, though no US troops were killed.

Source: Xinhua/UNB