Venezuela has said the United States has launched an attack after at least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were seen in its capital.
People in various neighbourhoods rushed to the streets as smoke could be seen rising from the explosions in various areas of Caracas at around 2am.
“The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the distance,” said Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker in Caracas.
The Venezuelan government said attacks took place on civilian and military installations in Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
It said it rejected “military aggression” by the US, and said the goal of the attack is to “take possession of Venezuelan oil and minerals”.
The Pentagon and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but a US official told Reuters it was carrying out strikes on Venezuela.
The blasts come after US president Donald Trump threatened for months that he could start ordering strikes on targets on Venezuelan soil, following multiple attacks on boats the US claim are drug-smuggling.
Key Points
- Venezuela blames Trump for strikes as huge explosions heard in capital
- US carrying out strikes in Venezuela, US official says
- Explosions and low-flying aircraft are heard in Venezuela's capital
- Pictured: Explosions seen in Caracas
- Where has the US been accused of attacking?
- Explosions come amid heightened US-Venezuelan tensions
Trump says Venezuela president 'captured' after strikes
09:27 , Athena StavrouDonald Trump has claimed the Venezuelan president has been “captured and flown out of the country” after the US launched an attack on the country.
In a Truth Social post, the US president said: “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.
“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.”
He said t here will be a press conference at 11am at Mar-a-Lago.
US embassy tells citizens to 'shelter in place'
09:20 , Athena StavrouThe US embassy in Colombia has said it is aware of reports of explosions in and around Caracas, and told citizens to “shelter in place”.
It warned US citizens not to travel to Venezuela and advised to establish multiple methods of communication with friends and family outside of Venezuela.
Iran condemns attack on Venezuela
09:11 , Athena StavrouIran has condemned an attack on Venezuela as a “blatant violation of it’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Iranian state television reported on the explosions in Caracas on Saturday, showing images of the Venezuelan capital.
Iran has been close to Venezuela for years, in part due to their shared enmity of the US.
US aviation authority bans flights over Venezuela
08:57 , Athena StavrouThe US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) banned bans US commercial flights in Venezuela airspace over "ongoing military activity" ahead of explosions in Caracas.
The FAA's warning, known as a "notice to airmen", came shortly after 1am on the east coast of the US.
It warned all commercial and private US pilots that the airspace over Venezuela and the small island nation of Curacao, just off the coast of the country to the north, was off-limits "due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity".
The warnings are designed to alert pilots to a variety of dangers.
Venezuelan government: 'People to the streets!'
08:45 , Athena StavrouVenezuela's government, in the statement, called on its supporters to take to the streets following explosions on Saturday.
“People to the streets!” the statement said. “The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.”
The statement added that President Nicolas Maduro had “ordered all national defense plans to be implemented” and declared “a state of external disturbance.”
The state of emergency gives him the power to suspend people's rights and expand the role of the armed forces.
Watch: Venezuela shaken by series of explosions in capital Caracas
08:39 , Athena StavrouUS carrying out strikes in Venezuela, US official says
08:25 , Athena StavrouThe United States is carrying out strikes in Venezuela, a US official has confirmed
The official, who was speaking on the condition ‹of anonymity, did not provide details to Reuters.
Live: TV broadcast in Venezuela as loud noises heard amid US tensions
08:23 , Athena StavrouWhere have the attacks taken place?
08:09 , Athena StavrouAt least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Venezuela’s capital in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The Venezuelan government said attacks took place civilian and military installations in Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
Venezuela blames Trump for strikes as huge explosions heard in capital
07:57 , Athena StavrouVenezuela has accused the United States of launching an attack after at least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in it’s capital.
The Venezuelan government said attacks took place in Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
It said it rejected “military aggression” by the US, and said the goal of the attack is to “take possession of Venezuelan oil and minerals”.
The Pentagon and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Pictured: Explosions seen in Caracas
07:50 , Athena Stavrou
Explosions come amid heightened US-Venezuelan tensions
07:47 , Athena StavrouThe explosions come amid heightened tensions between the US and Venezuela.
US President Donald Trump had threatened for months that he could soon order strikes on targets on Venezuelan land, as the US military has been targeting over recent months boats they claim to be drug-smuggling.
The CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area they say have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels in what was the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the US began strikes on boats in September.
The country's President Nicolas Maduro also said in a pre-taped interview aired on Thursday that the US wants to force a government change in Venezuela and gain access to its vast oil reserves.
Mr Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism in the US.
Explosions and low-flying aircraft are heard in Venezuela's capital
07:39 , Athena StavrouAt least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft have been heard in Venezuela’s capital.
The explosions were witnessed by residents who rushed to the streets at around 2am local time in Caracas.
Some explosions could be seen in the distance from various areas of Caracas.
