In the very early hours of Saturday a string of loud explosions rattled Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, causing panic among the residents and throwing up new questions about the fear that is felt in the city due to the rising tensions between Venezuela and the United States.
People who were there said they heard at least seven explosions in the different parts of the city. The sounds were very loud especially in the southern part of Caracas, where a big military base is located. Some of the neighborhoods there had their electricity cut off without any prior notice. Also, there were some planes flying at low altitude over the city, and people were getting more and more scared.
Neighbors in various residential areas rushed from their houses and congregated outside, not knowing what was going on. Residents reported hearing shots ringing in various quarters, according to media. Videos posted on social media platforms, though unverified, seem to show lights and loud booms illuminating the sky.
US Administration representatives are familiar with news about the explosions and air activity over Caracas, according to sources told US-based news organizations. No explanations from administration representatives have been offered regarding this issue.
The incidents come against the backdrop of strained relations between Washington and Caracas. The US administration under President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on the government of President Nicolás Maduro in recent months. These actions have included the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers and at least one reported airstrike on land.
President Trump has previously stated that ground strikes could also be on the table. The US military has conducted numerous attacks in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific against vessels that were accused of drug trafficking. According to the US military, there have been over 100 fatalities in maritime operations conducted in dozens of strikes.
Maduro has rejected any link to illegal activities and has claimed that the United States is attempting to oust him as a means of accessing Venezuela’s large oil reserves and rare earth materials.
Currently, there has been no confirmation from the Venezuelan government or the United States Department of Defense about the occurrence of the explosions taking place in Caracas.
