BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 3. Venezuela has
declared a state of emergency, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said
in a statement on Saturday, Trend reports
The decree was signed by President Nicolás Maduro.
"President Maduro ordered the implementation of the decree
declaring a state of emergency across the country to protect
citizens’ rights, ensure the full functioning of republican
institutions, and enable an immediate transition to armed defense,"
the ministry said.
Early Saturday, residents of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela,
reported loud explosions, the sounds of low-flying aircraft, and at
least one column of smoke. Eyewitnesses said power outages were
observed in the southern part of the city, near a major military
base.
