The death toll from the invasion of Venezuela by United States forces has risen to 80, according to a senior Venezuelan official quoted by the New York Times.
The official said the casualties include civilians as well as members of the country’s security forces, adding that the figure could increase as more information emerges.
Explosions were reported in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, in the early hours of Saturday, triggering widespread panic across the city.
Hours after the explosions, US President Donald Trump announced on social media that American forces had successfully captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Speaking at a press conference following the operation, Trump said the United States would take over the affairs of Venezuela pending a political transition. “We don’t want to be involved with having somebody else get in and end up with the same situation we’ve had for a long period of years,” he said.