CARACAS, Venezuela — Early Saturday morning, at around 2 a.m. local time, the city of Caracas was shaken by at least seven explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft. Residents across various neighborhoods quickly took to the streets, drawn by the unusual commotion.
The Venezuelan government has yet to issue a statement regarding the explosions. This incident coincides with an increased U.S. military focus on alleged drug-smuggling operations in the region. On Friday, Venezuelan officials expressed their willingness to engage in discussions with the United States aimed at combating drug trafficking, marking a potential shift in relations between the two nations.
President Nicolás Maduro claimed in a pre-recorded interview this past Thursday that U.S. intentions involve overthrowing his government and seizing control of Venezuela’s extensive oil reserves. This assertion follows a months-long escalation of military activity by the U.S. in the Caribbean, which began in August.
The nature and cause of the recent explosions in Caracas remain unclear. The Pentagon and White House have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the situation. Notably, Maduro faces charges of narco-terrorism in the U.S. and last week, the CIA conducted a drone strike at a location suspected of being used by Venezuelan drug cartels. This marked the first acknowledged direct U.S. military operation on Venezuelan soil as part of a recent campaign aimed at dismantling drug-related activities.
Compounding the tension, former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously indicated that military strikes on Venezuelan territory could be a possibility. The current unrest in Caracas continues to highlight the fraught relations and complex dynamics surrounding Venezuelan governance and U.S. intervention efforts. Despite the challenges, the potential for dialogue on drug trafficking offers a glimmer of hope for improved relations between the two countries.