Panic gripped Venezuela's capital Caracas in the early hours of Saturday as a series of powerful explosions illuminated the night sky, prompting President Nicolás Maduro to declare a national emergency and order the mobilisation of the country's defence forces.
Night of Explosions and Official Confirmation
The startling events began around 2:00 am local time (0600 GMT) and continued for nearly 90 minutes, according to witnesses for the Reuters news agency. Viral videos on social media captured plumes of black smoke, flashes of orange light, and the sight of low-flying aircraft over the city. Residents could be heard gasping in fear as blasts echoed in the distance. "My love, oh no, look at that," a woman exclaimed in one widely shared clip as smoke billowed over the skyline.
The source of the attacks was soon clarified when a US official confirmed to Reuters that the United States had carried out strikes inside Venezuela. This followed months of escalating rhetoric from US President Donald Trump against the Maduro government, which he has labelled a "narco-terrorist" regime. CNN reported the first explosion occurred at approximately 1:50 am, with at least seven loud blasts heard across the city, accompanied by air sirens and helicopters.
Targets and Immediate Fallout
Venezuelan authorities alleged that the strikes targeted both civilian and military installations, describing the incidents as an act of "military aggression." Officials stated that strategic sites in multiple regions, including the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, were hit. Reuters reported smoke was seen rising near a major military base in southern Caracas.
The immediate consequences were severe:
- Several neighbourhoods in Caracas experienced power outages.
- Confused and alarmed residents were forced onto the streets.
- The US Federal Aviation Administration banned American commercial flights from Venezuelan airspace, citing "ongoing military activity."
- The US Embassy in Bogotá issued a travel advisory, urging citizens not to travel to Venezuela and for those already there to shelter in place.
Media reports, citing sources, indicated the US strikes may have focused on Venezuelan military facilities. CBS News reported that President Trump had ordered the attacks as part of an intensified campaign against Maduro's administration. The military action coincides with a significant US military buildup in the region, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier to the Caribbean.
Escalating Tensions and Sovereign Response
The strikes mark a dangerous new chapter in the long-standing tensions between Washington and Caracas. The US has recently imposed sanctions on vessels transporting Venezuelan oil and increased operations against boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking. President Trump has also accused Venezuela of contributing to illegal migration into the US.
In a national address, President Maduro vowed that Venezuela would defend its sovereignty and called for national unity. Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage and any casualties from the overnight explosions. The US maintains a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" warning for Venezuela, having withdrawn all diplomatic personnel from its Caracas embassy in March 2019.
