Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the U.S. of conducting a military operation in the capital, after military aircraft were seen over Caracas as explosions rocked the capital.
Maduro declared a state of emergency in response.
“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.”
He accused the U.S. of hitting military and civilian targets across the country, and claimed the U.S. was only after Venezuela’s resources.
Videos of explosions hitting major military and government targets were posted across social media beginning at around 2 a.m. local time on Saturday. Significant secondary explosions were seen, indicating successful strikes against military targets.
Simultaneously, videos showed helicopters of various types hovering over the city. Among these were reported sightings of CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters hovering over the city, an aircraft not operated by the Bolivarian military.
Senior Venezuelan officials, including Maduro have not been seen since the strikes began.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced a ban on all commercial flights to Venezuela amid “ongoing military activity.”
The explosions ceased around 3 a.m., with reporters on the ground reporting quiet for the past two hours as of 5 a.m. local time.
The presence of attack and transport helicopters indicates the operation is unparalleled during President Donald Trump’s two terms, with his many previous strikes consisting of airstrikes and cruise missile attacks.
Footage of twin-rotor transport helicopters, likely a Chinook, above Caracas indicates the likely use of Special operations soldiers on the ground.
The Department of War deferred the Washington Examiner to the White House for comment.
Footage filmed by bystanders showed an attack helicopter of some kind firing missiles at a ground target. Anti-aircraft fire appeared almost nonexistent.
David Smolansky, a spokesman for Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, told CBS News that among the targets hit were Fuerte Tiuna, the main military base in Caracas; La Carolota, the main airbase in Caracas; El Volcán, a signal antenna; and La Guaira Port, a seaport on the Caribbean coast.
The presidents of Colombia and Cuba condemned the strikes.
This is a breaking news story and may be updated.