Venezuela’s government has accused the United States of orchestrating attacks on civilian and military installations across several states. This claim follows a series of explosions and low-flying aircraft reported around 2 a.m. local time on Saturday in the capital, Caracas.
Witnesses in Caracas reported hearing at least seven explosions. Smoke was visible rising from a military base’s hangar, while another facility experienced power outages. Residents in various neighborhoods fled to the streets, with Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, describing the scene as chaotic. “The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes,” she said, expressing her fear as she rushed home from a birthday celebration.
Government Response and Calls for Mobilization
In light of the incidents, the Venezuelan government has called on its supporters to mobilize. A statement released urged, “People to the streets!” It emphasized a need for social and political forces to come together and oppose what it referred to as an “imperialist attack.” Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the implementation of all national defense plans and declared a state of external disturbance.
These events unfolded amidst ongoing U.S. military operations targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats in the region. On Friday, Venezuela expressed its willingness to negotiate with the U.S. regarding drug trafficking, indicating a potential shift in diplomatic relations.
U.S. Military Operations and International Tensions
Maduro has accused the U.S. of seeking regime change in Venezuela and accessing its vast oil reserves through a pressure campaign that has included a significant military deployment in the Caribbean Sea since August 2023. The U.S. has previously charged Maduro with narco-terrorism, and the CIA’s involvement was revealed in a recent drone strike targeting a site believed to be used by Venezuelan drug cartels.
President Donald Trump has issued threats of potential strikes on Venezuelan territory for months, contributing to rising tensions between the nations. The U.S. military has conducted 35 known boat strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since early September, resulting in at least 115 fatalities, according to figures released by the Trump administration.
In addition to military strikes, the U.S. has implemented sanctions on Venezuelan oil tankers, further tightening its economic grip on the country. Trump has justified these actions as necessary to combat the flow of drugs into the United States, framing the situation as an “armed conflict” with drug cartels.
The Pentagon has not commented on the latest accusations, referring inquiries to the White House, which has not yet responded. The Federal Aviation Authority has also banned U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace due to the ongoing military activity, further isolating the nation during this period of heightened conflict.
As tensions continue to escalate, the situation in Venezuela remains fluid, with significant implications for both domestic and international relations.
