A state of emergency has been declared in Venezuela following the US invasion. President Nicolas Maduro has declared a state of emergency.

Just a few hours ago, a loud explosion was heard in cities including the Venezuelan capital Caracas. Then, a plume of smoke and some airplanes were seen in the sky.

International media have claimed that the US attacked, citing US defense sources.

Maduro said that the US attacked to take away his country's oil and minerals. Relations between the US and Venezuela have been very bad since Donald Trump was elected president.

Earlier, on December 10, the US seized a Venezuelan oil tanker for the first time. Shortly after that, it seized another tanker. Similarly, it attacked a Venezuelan port for the first time last Monday.