New Delhi, Jan. 3 -- Viral videos showing explosions lighting up the night sky over Venezuela's capital, Caracas, triggered panic early Saturday, as President Nicolas Maduro declared a national emergency and ordered the mobilisation of defence forces.

A US official told news agency Reuters that the United States had carried out strikes inside Venezuela, after a series of loud explosions rocked Caracas following months of escalating rhetoric by US President Donald Trump against the Maduro government. Venezuelan authorities alleged that the attacks targeted both civilian and military installations, an accusation that Washington has not officially confirmed.

According to the Venezuelan government, explosions were also reported in the state...