Venezuela declares national emergency amid explosions over Caracas

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has declared a national emergency following a series of explosions and unusual aircraft activity over the capital, Caracas, on Saturday morning.

The president described the incidents as part of what he called an attempt by the United States to seize control of Venezuela’s oil and mineral wealth.

The announcement comes amid reports that US President Donald Trump authorised strikes on several Venezuelan military sites, including key airfields and strategic installations, according to US officials.

Eyewitnesses in Caracas reported blasts at the La Carlota military airfield in the city centre and at Fuerte Tiuna, the nation’s principal military base.

Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke and flames rising above the capital, while several neighborhoods reportedly experienced power outages.

The Trump administration has accused the Maduro government of involvement in drug trafficking and other activities deemed threatening to US security.

Washington has recently seized Venezuelan oil tankers under sanctions as part of broader pressure on the Maduro administration.

In response, the Venezuelan government issued a statement condemning the alleged US action, saying it “rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the United States of America against Venezuelan territory.”

The statement asserted that Washington’s actions are intended to displace Maduro from power and gain control over Venezuela’s natural resources.

The reports of explosions and aerial activity come amid escalating tensions between the two countries, following weeks of economic and military pressure by the US on Venezuela.