Venezuela declares national emergency as multiple explosions hit Caracas

Venezuela’s capital Caracas has been rocked with multiple explosions, prompting the president Maduro to declare a national emergency and mobilize defense forces.

According to witnesses and images circulating on social media platforms, the low-flying aircrafts and black smoke could be seen across the capital at about 2:00 am.

As reported by Reuters, the country has accused the US of carrying out “military aggression.” On early Saturday, the attacks were also reported in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, according to the government statement.

The US officials told CBS News, the attacks have followed US President Donald Trump’s orders to carry out the strikes on Venezuela’s capital and various military sites.

However, the White Office did not comment on these details.

Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, has published a list of the bombed installations in Venezuela, including the Cuartel de la Montaña barracks in Caracas, a military base that is home to the mausoleum of Nicolás Maduro’s mentor, Hugo Chávez.

The government in its statement slammed the US for its vicious intentions behind the attack, aiming to take control of the country’s oil and minerals. However, the US “will not succeed” in taking possession of these resources.

“The only objective of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela’s strategic resources, in particular its oil and minerals,” the statement read.

The strikes mark an escalation from prior sea operations, drawing condemnations from Colombia and Cuba. 

The attacks came on the heels of growing tension between the US and Venezuela on the grounds of illegal immigration and drug trafficking issues.