Photo: X account of the CARICOM

The Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) met very early on Saturday following reports of military action in Venezuela, according to a post on the CARICOM's X account. 

"CARICOM is actively monitoring the situation which is of grave concern to the Region with possible implications for neighboring countries," the post reads, adding that the CARICOM will continue to update the people of the Region as more information is received.

CARICOM is a grouping of twenty-one countries: fifteen Member States and six Associate Members, and it promotes and supports a unified Caribbean Community that is inclusive, resilient, competitive; sharing in economic, social and cultural prosperity, according to its official website and X account.

The Conference of Heads of Government of Caribben Community (CARICOM) statement Photo: screenshot of CARICOM X account

News outlet Caribbean Life reported earlier that Caribbean Community leaders met in emergency session early Saturday local time, following the US' bombing of Venezuelan military installations and the reported capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Maduro has been captured and flown out of Venezuela after the US carried out a large-scale strike on the capital city of Caracas, US President Donald Trump claimed earlier on Saturday.

Venezuela's vice president said the Venezuelan government does not know the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Earlier, multiple explosions were reported in Venezuela's capital Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, according to Reuters. Columns of black smoke were seen rising over parts of the city, while images and videos circulating on social media showed aircraft in the skies over the capital.

Global Times