Explosions heard in Venezuela's capital, president reports US military aggression

Explosions have been reported in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, on the morning of 3 January, with at least one column of smoke visible. A state of emergency has been declared in Venezuela over what authorities described as an "extremely serious military aggression carried out by the current government of the United States".

Source: Reuters; CNN; social media

Details: The southern part of the city, where a major military base is located, has been left without power.

CNN reported multiple explosions. Electricity disappeared in several areas and journalists heard aircraft flying overhead after the blasts.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote on social media that Caracas was "being bombarded by missiles", without specifying by whom.

Quote from Petro: "Caracas is being bombarded. All eyes on Venezuela – it's under attack.

Bombarded by missiles.

The OAS (Organisation of American States) and the UN must convene immediately."

Details: Social media claims suggested that the United States had attacked the Venezuelan capital and that American helicopters were flying over the city. There is currently no confirmation of these reports.

Reports noted that US President Donald Trump had repeatedly promised ground operations in Venezuela as part of efforts to pressure President Nicolás Maduro to step down. This included expanding sanctions, increasing US military presence in the region and conducting over 20 strikes on vessels suspected of being involved in drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Update: Maduro signed a "decree declaring a state of emergency due to external aggression across the entire national territory, aimed at protecting the rights of the population, ensuring the full functioning of republican institutions and the immediate transition to armed struggle" in Venezuela in connection with the US attack, the country's foreign ministry said.

"People, go out onto the streets," the president added.

Quote: "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects, strongly condemns and declares before the international community the extremely serious military aggression carried out by the current government of the United States of America against the territory and population of Venezuela in civilian and military areas of the city of Caracas, the capital of the Republic, as well as in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.

This act constitutes a gross violation of the United Nations Charter, in particular Articles 1 and 2, which enshrine respect for sovereignty, the legal equality of states and the prohibition of the use of force. Such aggression threatens international peace and stability, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, and places the lives of millions of people at serious risk."

Previously: In early December, there were media reports that Trump had given Maduro time to leave before ordering the closure of Venezuelan airspace.

Background:

• On 10 December, US forces in the Caribbean basin took full control of an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
• At the end of November, Trump said the US would "very soon" begin taking measures to stop Venezuelans suspected of drug trafficking from travelling by land.

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