Explosions and Military Activity in Caracas

Caracas, Venezuela witnessed a series of explosions and low-flying aircraft around 2 am local time on Saturday. The Venezuelan government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states.

The Pentagon redirected requests for comment to the White House, which has yet to respond. The Federal Aviation Authority has banned US commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace due to ongoing military activity preceding the explosions in Caracas.

Smoke was observed rising from the hangar of a military base in Caracas, while another military installation in the capital experienced a power outage.

Residents of various neighborhoods rushed to the streets upon hearing the explosions and witnessing low-flying planes in the area.

Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, described the experience as terrifying, stating, “The whole ground shook. We heard explosions and planes.” She, along with her relatives, was returning from a birthday party and felt the impact of the events in the air.

In response to the situation, Venezuela’s government urged its supporters to take to the streets in protest against what they deemed as an imperialist attack.

President Nicolás Maduro has initiated national defense plans and declared a state of external disturbance in light of the recent events.

Recent tensions between the US and Venezuela have escalated, with the US targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats in the region. Maduro has accused the US of attempting to instigate a regime change in Venezuela to access its oil reserves.

President Donald Trump has been vocal about the possibility of military intervention in Venezuela, citing concerns about drug trafficking and national security.

Iran, a close ally of Venezuela, has also shown support in the wake of the explosions, highlighting their shared opposition to US interference in both countries.

The situation in Caracas continues to evolve, with both domestic and international implications. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.