A Series of Explosions Rocks Caracas: A Tense Moment in Venezuela’s Ongoing Turmoil
In the early hours of Saturday, around 2 a.m. local time, Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, was awakened by at least seven explosions coupled with the sound of low-flying aircraft. This alarming incident has led the Venezuelan government to place blame squarely on the United States, alleging that it has launched attacks on both civilian and military facilities across various regions of the country.
When approached for comments regarding this situation, the Pentagon redirected inquiries to the White House, which has yet to respond to requests for clarification. In light of these recent developments, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken precautionary measures by prohibiting U.S. commercial flights from entering Venezuelan airspace, citing ongoing military activities in the region that preceded the explosions in Caracas.
Witnesses described a scene filled with chaos and fear. Smoke billowed from a hangar at a military base in the city, while another military site found itself without power. Residents from multiple neighborhoods flocked into the streets, some visible from afar amid the distressing atmosphere.
"The entire ground shook. This is absolutely terrifying. We heard the explosions and the planes overhead," recounted Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, as she hurried through the streets with two family members after a birthday celebration. "It felt like the very air was hitting us."
In a bold statement, Venezuela's government urged its supporters to mobilize in response to what they termed an "imperialist attack." The message stated, "People to the streets! The Bolivarian Government calls upon all social and political forces within the nation to initiate their mobilization plans and denounce this aggression."
President Nicolás Maduro has responded decisively, instructing officials to implement all national defense strategies and declaring a state of external disturbance.
This escalation comes in the wake of heightened U.S. military actions aimed at targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels. Just the day before, Venezuelan officials expressed a willingness to engage in talks with the U.S. to address the issue of drug trafficking.
In a pre-recorded interview aired Thursday, Maduro claimed that the U.S. seeks to instigate a regime change in Venezuela, aiming to seize control of its extensive oil reserves amidst ongoing military pressure that had intensified since a significant deployment to the Caribbean Sea last August.
Maduro faces serious allegations of narco-terrorism levelled by U.S. authorities, and recent reports indicate that the CIA conducted a drone strike last week targeting a docking area believed to be affiliated with Venezuelan drug cartels, marking the first known direct military action by the U.S. on Venezuelan soil since it commenced strikes against boats in September.
U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at possible military strikes on Venezuelan targets for months. The U.S. has also engaged in seizing sanctioned oil tankers off Venezuela's coast and implemented blockades targeting others, actions perceived as efforts to tighten economic sanctions against this South American nation.
Since early September, the U.S. military has been actively striking vessels in both the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, with reports confirming at least 35 boat strikes resulting in a tragic toll of at least 115 lives lost, according to figures provided by the Trump administration.
These military actions follow a significant buildup of American troops and assets in the region, including the arrival of the nation's most advanced aircraft carrier in November, which bolstered the largest military presence in decades.
Trump has defended these operations, framing them as necessary steps to combat drug trafficking into the United States and asserting that the U.S. is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels operating in the region.
Notably, Iranian state media have also reported on the explosions in Caracas, showcasing images from the Venezuelan capital. This highlights the longstanding relationship between Iran and Venezuela, primarily fueled by their mutual opposition to U.S. influence.
