US-Venezuela tensions: Emergency in South American nation after several explosions; what we know so far

At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on Saturday in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, as the US military continues targeting the South American nation to combat alleged drug trafficking.

Attacks took place in the capital of Caracas ‌and ‍the states of ‍Miranda, Aragua and La ‌Guaira, prompting Maduro to declare a ‍national emergency and call ‍on ⁠social ⁠and political forces to "activate mobilization plans."

A power ‍outage affected the southern area ‍of the city, near a major military ‌base, reported Reuters. Trump has repeatedly promised land operations in Venezuela. He has not publicly detailed his aims but has privately pressured Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro to flee the nation, Reuters has reported. Trump said ‍on Monday it would be "smart" for Maduro to leave power.

Venezuela blames US for explosions

Venezuela’s government, in the statement, called on its supporters to take to the streets.

“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.”

The statement added that President Nicolás Maduro had “ordered all national defense plans to be implemented” and declared “a state of external disturbance.”

Is US involved?

President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack announced that Venezuela President, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington.

The US has made a major military buildup in the region, including an aircraft carrier, warships and advanced fighter jets stationed in the Caribbean.

Last week, Trump ‍said the ⁠United States had "hit" an area ⁠in Venezuela where boats are loaded with drugs, marking the first known time Washington has carried out land operations in Venezuela since the pressure campaign began.

He did not say whether those strikes were carried out by the CIA or not. Other media outlets have reported that the spy agency was behind them.

Trump has accused the South American country of flooding the US with drugs, and his administration has for months been bombing boats originating in South America that it alleges were carrying drugs. Many nations have condemned the attacks as extrajudicial killings and Maduro's government has always denied any involvement with drug trafficking.

FAA issues warning:

The FAA’s warning, known as “Notice to Airmen,” came shortly after one in the morning on the east coast of the U.S. It warned all commercial and private U.S. pilots that the airspace over Venezuela and the small island nation of Curacao, just off the coast of the country to the north, was off-limits “due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity.”

The warnings are designed to alert pilots to a variety of dangers.

Smoke could be seen rising from the hangar of a military base in Caracas. Another military installation in the capital was without power.

People in various neighborhoods rushed to the streets. Some could be seen in the distance from various areas of Caracas.