Explosions Hit Caracas Amid US–Venezuela Tensions
Multiple explosions were reported in Caracas near a military base, with smoke, fireballs, and aircraft seen overhead, as tensions between Venezuela and the United States continue to rise.
According to news reports and eyewitnesses, explosions were heard and plumes of smoke were seen rising in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, amid rising tensions with the United States.
On Saturday morning, fireballs and thick smoke were seen emanating from a building near a water treatment plant in Caracas.
The Venezuelan government, the Pentagon, and the White House have not yet commented on the incident.
Citing sources, Al Jazeera's Lucia Newman, reporting from Santiago, Chile, said the explosion occurred at or near Fort Tiuna, a major military base in Caracas.
"Fort Tiuna is a very important military base there," Newman said. "Several explosions were reportedly heard throughout the area, followed by a power outage."
Our correspondent said it was "possible" that the incident was linked to the United States.
"We don't yet know what caused the explosion," Newman said. "It's also possible that it was an act of sabotage by elements within the military who are trying to oust President Nicolás Maduro."
Sisi De Flavis, a journalist living in Caracas, told Al Jazeera that she heard a sound like a large truck crashing, followed by a strong tremor.
"The sky lit up," De Flavis told Al Jazeera. "Then a bright orange fireball appeared. You can still hear planes flying overhead, although there haven't been any more explosions since then."
The Associated Press news agency reported that at least seven explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft were heard in the capital. A photo published by the AP showed smoke rising from La Carlota airport in the capital after a series of explosions. People in various neighborhoods took to the streets. Some people could be seen from a distance in different parts of Caracas.
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“The whole ground shook. It was terrifying,” 21-year-old office worker Carmen Hidalgo told The Associated Press, her voice trembling. “We heard explosions and planes in the distance.” She was returning from a birthday party with two relatives. “It felt like the wind was hitting us.”
Tensions have escalated in Venezuela in recent weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly threatened to launch attacks on targets linked to drug trafficking. Earlier this week, Trump also revealed an attack last week on a docking area for Venezuelan drug boats, the first known attack on Venezuelan territory in the U.S. operation. The U.S. president has repeatedly threatened ground attacks on drug cartels in the Latin American region, including Venezuela, which he has called a “narco-terrorist” state.
He has claimed, without providing evidence, that Venezuela's Maduro runs a trafficking organization aimed at flooding the U.S. with drugs and destabilizing it.
In an interview on Thursday, Maduro indicated that Venezuela was willing to strike a deal with the U.S. to combat drug trafficking, although he remained silent on reports of a CIA-led attack on Venezuelan soil.
Maduro also claimed in the interview that the U.S. is trying to overthrow his government and gain access to Venezuela's vast oil reserves through Washington's months-long campaign of sanctions and military pressure. When asked directly whether he confirmed or denied a U.S. attack on Venezuelan territory, Maduro said: “That’s something we can talk about in a few days.” Maduro said that the Trump administration's attitude "clearly" shows that the United States wants to "impose its dominance" on Venezuela through "threats, intimidation, and force."
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