iDeemlawfulThe United States military has carried out airstrikes on Venezuela, with multiple explosions shaking Caracas in the early hours of Saturday.
The first explosion was reported around 1:50 a.m. local time, according to CNN.
“One was so strong, my window was shaking after it,” said Osmary Hernandez, a CNN correspondent.
Following the blasts, several neighbourhoods experienced power outages, while the sound of aircraft was heard overhead.
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The cause of the explosions was not immediately confirmed.
Footage obtained and verified by CNN showed two columns of smoke rising into the night sky against flickering city lights. An orange glow was visible at the base of one plume before a flash and a deep booming sound echoed elsewhere.
Venezuelan media outlets Efecto Cocuyo and Tal Cual Digital reported that explosions were also heard in La Guaira state, north of Caracas along the coast, as well as in Higuerote, a coastal town in Miranda state.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that the United States was preparing new actions against alleged drug trafficking networks operating in Venezuela, stating that land-based strikes would begin soon.
In October, Trump said he had authorised the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to operate within Venezuela to curb the illegal flow of migrants and drugs from the South American nation.