The United States has launched attacks on Venezuela. What is known by this hour

Updated at 11:50 a.m.

On January 3, an explosion was reported in Caracas, Venezuela. According to the Reuters news agency, flashes from strikes were observed in some areas of the capital, as well as the sounds of military equipment. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Strikes on Caracas

According to eyewitnesses, at least seven explosions occurred in Caracas early on Saturday morning, and low-flying planes were also heard. Some residents ran out into the streets, and videos appeared on social media showing military equipment of the Venezuelan army and helicopters in the sky above the city. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations and the Organization of American States, claiming that Caracas is under rocket fire.

"The Organization of American States and the United Nations need to meet immediately," Petro wrote on the social network X.

In response to the situation, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared a state of emergency in the country. He gave instructions to implement all the envisaged national defense plans and introduced a corresponding presidential decree envisaging the transition to the armed defense of the country. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, all government agencies and forces involved in ensuring security are subject to mobilization.

"Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declares a state of emergency," the BNO News Live agency said in a statement.

The US position on the situation

A U.S. Army spokesman initially declined to comment on the possible involvement of American forces in the Caracas bombings. However, the administration of President Donald Trump is aware of what is happening. Trump held a national security meeting on the eve of the strikes on Venezuela, and, according to CBS reporter Jennifer Jacobs, ordered strikes against targets in Venezuela, including military installations. The U.S. Embassy in Bogota urged citizens not to travel to Venezuela and advised those who are already in the country to take shelter and leave the territory as soon as it becomes safe.

Russia's reaction

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced a statement soon in connection with the US attack on Venezuela, the official representative of the department, Maria Zakharova, told Izvestia.

At the same time, it is reported that the building of the Russian Embassy in Caracas was not damaged as a result of the US strikes.

"At two o'clock in the morning, explosions were heard, the embassy was not damaged, no strikes were carried out in the areas located near the embassy," said Russian Ambassador Sergei Melik-Baghdasarov.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.