Afghanistan, Jan. 3 -- U.S. media reported that Washington had been planning a covert operation to detain Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro months before Saturday's dramatic events in Caracas.
The United States began planning a covert operation to strike Venezuela and detain President Nicolas Maduro as early as mid-December last year, CNN reported, citing informed sources.
According to the report, the plan moved into an active phase after U.S. officials concluded that hopes for Maduro's voluntary exit from power had collapsed.
Early Saturday, January 3, explosions were heard across Caracas as military aircraft flew at low altitude, while thick smoke rose from the area surrounding La Carlota air base, witnesses said.
Residents living n...