U.S. Military Strike in Venezuela Results in At Least 40 Casualties, Reports Say

An anonymous Venezuelan official reports at least 40 deaths, both civilian and military, following the U.S. attack. The New York Times documents the death of an elderly woman and the destruction of homes in Catia La Mar. Official accounts from Venezuela and the U.S. regarding casualties are contradictory, with the operation causing significant devastation and trauma for civilians.

The Citizen

04/01/2026 1:48am

Original article: Ataque de EE. UU. en Venezuela dejó al menos 40 personas muertas

U.S. Military Strike in Venezuela Results in At Least 40 Casualties and Destroys Civilian Homes, Reports Indicate

Cover Photo: Published in The New York Times

A senior Venezuelan official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that the U.S. military attack on Venezuela early Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least 40 individuals, including both military personnel and civilians.

These preliminary reports, cited by The New York Times, contrast with statements from President Donald Trump, who claimed there were no U.S. casualties but acknowledged some injuries among his troops. General Dan Caine detailed that U.S. helicopters, on a mission to extract President Nicolás Maduro, were engaged, with one helicopter sustaining damage but managing to return safely.

One of the civilian targets affected was an apartment complex in Catia La Mar, a coastal area located west of Maiquetía Airport, according to coverage from The New York Times.

The airstrike toppled an exterior wall of the three-story building, causing the death of 80-year-old Rosa González, as confirmed by her relatives, and severely injuring another individual. Hours later, Wilman González, the victim’s nephew, showed reporters the devastation in his home, displaying facial injuries sustained during the incident and gathering in shock his few salvaged belongings.

The scene in Catia La Mar was one of destruction and trauma. Residents like 70-year-old Jorge recounted having lost everything, while others expressed disbelief and anger as they searched through the rubble. The New York Times documented the outrage of some survivors, including Javier, who attributed the assault to greed for Venezuela’s oil resources. The chaotic rescue of Rosa González, who was rushed on a motorcycle to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, highlights the direct impact on the civilian population.

Venezuelan authorities have commenced an investigation at the site, collecting shells and testimonies. The attack not only left families homeless but also destroyed symbols of national pride, such as a portrait of Simón Bolívar riddled with shrapnel among the debris of an apartment. Uncertainty looms over the immediate future of the survivors and the overall toll of casualties, both civilian and military, as the Venezuelan and U.S. governments present conflicting accounts regarding the consequences of the operation.

See report from Milenio / U.S. Operation in Venezuela Leaves 40 Victims Following Capture of Nicolás Maduro