"Busy areas such as Chacao, Altamira, and Libertador Avenue in Caracas saw an unusual absence of people on Saturday afternoon and evening, following the US attacks on Venezuela. Footage filmed on Saturday, January 3, shows the exteriors and interiors of popular shopping centres such as Sambil and San Ignacio completely deserted, a scene that has been repeated in other parts of the capital which are usually busy. Despite being the weekend and the time when commercial and nightlife activity typically reaches its peak, the atmosphere in these areas was described as that of a paralyzed city, with empty streets and closed shops. Venezuela has a population of over 28 million people, of which nearly five million live in the metropolitan area around Caracas. The authorities have maintained security protocols in various regions of the country while the government has condemned the US military operation as a violation of national sovereignty amid rising regional tensions and international calls for restraint."