"President Trump approves airstrikes on Venezuela...Maduro declares a state of emergency"

Multiple explosions occurred in Venezuela's capital Caracas, and it was reported that President Donald Trump had ordered the military strike.

U.S. government officials told CBS News on the 3rd (local time) that President Trump approved a military operation against Venezuela. Earlier, explosions were heard in Caracas in the early morning and low-flying aircraft were observed.

In response, the Venezuelan government issued a statement strongly protesting, saying "the U.S. government has carried out a very serious military aggression." The Venezuelan side claimed that the attack targeted civilian and military facilities in Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. President Maduro declared a state of emergency in a television address and ordered, "Mobilize all forces to respond to U.S. aggression."

The Venezuelan government said the military action was an attempt to change the regime and stated, "The entire nation must mobilize fully to repel the imperialist aggression." It also informed the international community of the matter and demanded an emergency convening of the United Nations Security Council.