Venezuela’s government has accused the United States of launching attacks on civilian and military installations across several states, following a series of explosions in the capital, Caracas. At least seven explosions were reported around 02:00 local time on Saturday, accompanied by the sound of low-flying aircraft. The Venezuelan authorities have characterized these incidents as an act of aggression.
The Pentagon referred requests for comment to the White House, which has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the situation. In a related development, the Federal Aviation Authority has imposed a ban on U.S. commercial flights within Venezuelan airspace, citing “ongoing military activity” in the region. Smoke was observed rising from a military base hangar in Caracas, while another installation experienced a power outage.
Government Response and Public Reaction
Witness accounts from residents paint a vivid picture of the chaos. Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, described the scene as terrifying, stating, “The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes.” She was out with family returning from a birthday celebration when the explosions occurred, adding, “We felt like the air was hitting us.”
In response to the attacks, Venezuela’s government has called on its supporters to mobilize. A statement from the administration urged citizens to take to the streets to “repudiate this imperialist attack.” President Nicolás Maduro declared a “state of external disturbance” and ordered the implementation of national defense plans.
This escalation follows recent U.S. military operations targeting vessels suspected of drug smuggling. On Friday, Maduro expressed willingness to negotiate an agreement with the U.S. to combat drug trafficking, indicating a possible shift in diplomatic relations.
Context of U.S. Military Presence
The backdrop to these events includes accusations against Maduro of narco-terrorism by U.S. authorities. Last week, a drone strike attributed to the CIA targeted a docking area believed to be used by Venezuelan drug cartels, marking a significant escalation in U.S. operations on Venezuelan soil. These actions align with U.S. military efforts that began in September, which have reportedly resulted in 35 strikes on boats, leading to at least 115 fatalities.
President Donald Trump has previously threatened military action against Venezuela, asserting that such measures are necessary to combat drug trafficking and maintain U.S. security. The heightened military presence in the Caribbean, including the deployment of advanced aircraft carriers, has raised tensions between the two nations.
As the situation unfolds, the international community will likely be closely monitoring developments in Venezuela, a country already facing significant political and economic challenges.
