US strikes in Venezuela caught on camera: Eyewitness describe chaos in Caracas | WATCH

Videos circulating online have captured explosions and thick plumes of smoke rising over Venezuela’s capital Caracas in the early hours of Saturday after the US hit Venezuela with a ‘large-scale strike’. The footage emerged at a time of heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States, after President Donald Trump recently warned of possible ground action linked to drug trafficking.

At least seven explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through the capital of Venezuela early Saturday, with the government of leader Nicolás Maduro accusing the United States of attacking civilian and military installations following a months-long pressure campaign.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ban on U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace because of “ongoing military activity” ahead of the explosions in Caracas. Smoke could be seen rising from the hangar of a military base in Caracas, while another military installation in the capital was without power.

“The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes,” said Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, her voice trembling. She was walking briskly with two relatives, returning from a birthday party. “We felt like the air was hitting us.”

The strike came as the Trump administration has escalated pressure on Maduro, who has been charged with narco-terrorism in the United States. The CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels — the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the U.S. began strikes in September.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's vice president has appeared on state TV to say that the government doesn't know where the president and his wife are after US forces captured them.

“We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” Delcy Rodriguez said. “We demand proof of life.”

Trump said, “Maduro has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow.” He set a news conference for later Saturday morning.

(with inputs from AP and AFP)