US attack leaves at least 40 dead in Venezuela, says NYT

At least 40 people were killed during the military operation conducted by the United States in Venezuela this Saturday (3), according to a preliminary report from a Venezuelan official heard by the The New York Times.

To date, one civilian death has been confirmed, that of Rosa González, 80 years old, hit by an air strike in Catia La Mar, in the metropolitan region of Caracas.

The newspaper reports that the number is based on data gathered in the hours following the attacks, amid the destruction of civilian areas and difficulties in accessing the affected areas.

On the other hand, United States authorities denied the existence of casualties among their troops.

President Donald Trump stated, in an interview with Fox News, that no US military personnel died during the operation, although he admitted that some may have been injured. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, stated that helicopters involved in the action were hit, but returned safely.

According to family members and residents interviewed by the New York Timesthe attack that killed Rosa González destroyed a three-story residential building in Catia La Mar, a low-income coastal area near Caracas airport. A second person was seriously injured and taken to hospital.

Residents reported destruction of apartments, total loss of property and severe psychological shock after the bombing. A Venezuelan government investigator was at the scene collecting projectiles and interviewing witnesses.

According to neighbors, rescue attempts were made improvised, amid the rubble.