The United States conducted strikes in Venezuela, causing explosions in Caracas after months of threats from President Donald Trump towards President Nicolas Maduro.
The Venezuelan government reported attacks in several states, leading Maduro to declare a national emergency and mobilize defense forces.
Witnesses and social media images showed blasts, aircraft, and black smoke across Caracas early in the morning for about 90 minutes.
Residents of Caracas expressed shock and fear as they filmed billowing smoke and flashes of light in the sky. “My love, oh no, look at that,” gasped one woman in a video showing distant explosions.
A power outage affected the southern part of the city near a major military base, according to witnesses.
Trump has threatened military action in Venezuela, accusing Maduro of election fraud to stay in power.
The US, Venezuelan opposition, and other nations claim Maduro rigged the election last year. Trump has privately urged Maduro to leave the country, stating on Monday that it would be wise for him to step down.
The Pentagon referred inquiries to the White House, which declined to comment.
The Venezuelan government stated that the attack aimed to seize the country’s oil and minerals, but insisted that the US will not be successful in taking control of these resources.
The US has deployed a significant military presence in the region, including an aircraft carrier, warships, and advanced fighter jets in the Caribbean.
Trump has called for a “blockade” of Venezuelan oil, imposed more sanctions on the Maduro government, and conducted over two dozen strikes on vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Last week, Trump announced that the US had targeted an area in Venezuela where drug-loaded boats operate, marking the first land operation in Venezuela since the pressure campaign began.
He did not confirm whether the CIA was responsible for the strikes, although some media outlets have reported the agency’s involvement.
Accusing Venezuela of drug trafficking, Trump’s administration has targeted boats from South America, which many nations have criticized as extrajudicial killings. Maduro’s government denies any connection to drug trafficking.
