Maduro Declares State of Emergency and Accuses the U.S. of Military Aggression Against Venezuela 0 12

According to reports from journalists and data published on social media, several explosions were heard in the capital of Venezuela, accompanied by sounds resembling aircraft flying overhead.

"Venezuela rejects, does not recognize, and condemns the extremely serious military aggression that the current government of the United States has committed against the territory and people of Venezuela," the Maduro government stated.

The president ordered the implementation of all national defense plans and declared a "state of external interference" in the country, according to a government statement.

The Pentagon and the White House have not yet commented on the situation in Venezuela.

Reports have emerged that smoke is rising from a hangar at a military base in Caracas, and power supply was interrupted at another military facility.

The strikes occurred during a period when U.S. armed forces intensified actions against vessels allegedly involved in drug smuggling. On Friday, Venezuela announced its readiness to negotiate with the U.S. on an agreement to combat drug trafficking.

In an interview aired on Thursday, Maduro stated that the U.S. aims to change the government in Venezuela and gain access to its vast oil reserves, using months of military pressure that began with the deployment of a large military contingent in the Caribbean in August.

The U.S. accuses Maduro of narco-terrorism.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened for months that he may soon order strikes against targets in Venezuela. The U.S. has also seized sanctioned oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela, and Trump ordered the blocking of other vessels, which appears aimed at weakening the economy of the South American country.

Since early September, U.S. armed forces have carried out numerous strikes against vessels in both the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, claiming to combat drug smugglers.

However, the U.S. administration has not provided evidence that the vessels were indeed involved in drug trafficking, raising disputes about the legality of these operations.

Experts in international law and human rights organizations believe that these strikes are apparently extrajudicial executions. Washington denies this.

According to information released by American military officials, as part of a maritime campaign deemed deadly, at least 115 people have been killed as a result of at least 305 strikes.

These attacks followed a significant increase in the American military presence off the coast of South America. In November, the newest American aircraft carrier was deployed there, further strengthening the already largest U.S. military presence in the region in decades, supplemented by thousands of troops.