US President Donald Trump has ordered military strikes on Venezuela, including targets in the capital Caracas and several military installations, US officials have told CBS News, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions between the two countries.

Venezuela’s government swiftly rejected and condemned what it described as “military aggression by the United States”, with President Nicolás Maduro declaring a state of national emergency and placing the armed forces on high alert.

Residents in Caracas reported loud explosions and scenes of panic as fires broke out across parts of the city. “My heart was pumping and my legs were shaking,” one eyewitness told the BBC, as footage circulating on social media showed huge plumes of smoke rising into the night sky.

US officials said the strikes were aimed at military sites, though details about the scale of the operation and any casualties were not immediately clear. The White House has yet to issue a formal public statement outlining the objectives of the action.

The attacks follow weeks of heightened tension between Washington and Caracas, during which President Trump sharply increased political and economic pressure on the Maduro government. US officials have repeatedly accused Mr Maduro of undermining democracy and destabilising the region, while Caracas has denounced US sanctions and rhetoric as attempts at regime change.

Regional leaders and international observers have called for restraint amid fears that the latest developments could further destabilise Venezuela and have wider repercussions across Latin America. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation were under way, but there was no immediate sign of the crisis easing.

Source: BBC