A column of smoke was seen and explosions heard in Venezuela's capital

According to Reuters witnesses, planes could be heard, loud noises and at least one column of smoke could be seen in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Saturday morning. The southern part of the city near a large military base was without power.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised ground operations in Venezuela as part of efforts to pressure President Nicolás Maduro to step down from office. He has threatened to expand sanctions, increase the presence of US troops in the region and continue vetting and attacking ships allegedly involved in drug smuggling in the Pacific and Caribbean.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reuters)