updates:: Venezuela president Maduro ‘captured and flown out’ of country after US strikes, says Trump
Venezuela declares state of emergency over US ‘attack’
Explosions have been heard in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke rising from military installations and hearing aircraft overhead.
Multiple explosions rocked Venezuela’s capital Caracas early on Saturday and columns of black smoke and aircraft could be seen, according to Reuters witnesses and images circulating on social media.
A power outage affected the southern area of the city, near a major military base, witnesses said.President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised land operations in Venezuela. He has not publicly detailed his aims but has privately pressured President Nicolas Maduro to flee the nation.
Trump said on Monday it would be “smart” for Maduro to leave power.
The Pentagon referred questions to the White House, which declined to comment.
Maduro has accused the Trump administration of seeking a change in government to gain access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Trump last month announced a blockade of all sanctioned vessels going in or out of Venezuelan waters as part of a strategy to pressure Maduro.
“At this moment they are bombing Caracas,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on X. “Alert everyone they have attacked Venezuela. They are bombing with missiles. The (Organisation of American States) and the UN must meet immediately.”
