In a social media post, President Donald Trump announced that during the first hours of January 3, the US carried a series of strikes on Venezuela. The operation also had the intention of capturing the president of the country, Nicolás Maduro. Indeed, the Venezuelan president and his wife were, according to Trump, "flown out" the country.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the attack cost the lives of officials, military personnel, and civilians, but didn't provide the number of victims. In an audio call to state-run VTV Venezuela, she also demanded the US presents proof that Maduro and his wife are alive.
The tensions between the two countries started long ago, when Hugo Chávez was the president of Venezuela. The conflict has intensified in the last several months. To learn more, click through for a brief history of the often fraught relationship between the United States and Venezuela.