Tensions Escalate in Caracas with Explosions and Aircraft Activity Amid U.S. Actions

In the early hours of Saturday, around 2 a.m. local time, residents of Caracas reported hearing multiple explosions, accompanied by the sound of low-flying aircraft. The cause remains unclear, with both Venezuelan and U.S. officials not offering immediate explanations.

Following the disturbances, anxious residents spilled into the streets, seeking safety. These events occur against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States, particularly regarding ongoing U.S. military operations targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking.

Just a day prior, Venezuelan leaders expressed a willingness to engage in discussions with the U.S. focused on combating drug smuggling. However, President Nicolás Maduro accused Washington of pursuing a regime change for control over Venezuela’s abundant oil resources, referencing ongoing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean since August.

The U.S. has charged Maduro with narco-terrorism. Recently, a drone strike—thought to be executed by U.S. intelligence—targeted a dock allegedly used by Venezuelan drug traffickers. This marked the first direct U.S. strike on Venezuelan territory since the military campaigns commenced in September.

Additionally, the U.S. has enforced sanctions by seizing oil tankers and imposing blockades to heighten economic pressure on the Venezuelan government. Since September, American forces have conducted over 35 operations against vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in significantly high casualties, according to U.S. officials.

This military escalation follows a notable increase in U.S. military presence near South America, particularly following the November deployment of the U.S. Navy’s cutting-edge aircraft carrier, bringing troop levels to the highest they've been in decades.

U.S. authorities assert that these actions are vital to curbing drug trafficking into the States, framing their endeavors as part of an “armed conflict” against drug cartels.

Meanwhile, Iranian media outlets broadcast footage of the Caracas explosions, highlighting Iran's long-standing partnership with Venezuela, largely stemming from their mutual dissent toward U.S. interventionist policies in the region.