Explosions heard in Venezuela's capital, part of Caracas without power
Illustrative photo: Explosions were heard in the Venezuelan capital (GettyImages)
In Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on Saturday morning, January 3, residents reported hearing explosions and aircraft flying overhead, and saw columns of smoke. The southern part of the city, including an area near a major military base, was left without electricity, according to Reuters.
It is worth recalling that US President Donald Trump has previously stated on multiple occasions that he is ready to use a ground operation in Venezuela to force the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, to step down.
Among the pressure tools Washington has considered are expanding sanctions, increasing the US military presence in the region, as well as carrying out strikes on vessels that, according to the US side, are involved in illegal drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
The Pentagon did not immediately comment on the events in Caracas.
US-Venezuela conflict
On December 16, US President Donald Trump announced a full blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan waters.
Through this move, the US administration aims to cut off key sources of funding for the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
In recent weeks, the US military intercepted two oil tankers, while a third vessel pursued by US forces turned away from Venezuelan waters and disappeared into the Atlantic Ocean.
Earlier this week, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on ten individuals and entities linked to Iran and Venezuela suspected of involvement in arms trafficking. Oil companies and tankers connected to Venezuela were also added to the sanctions lists.
In addition to the oil blockade, about a week ago Donald Trump designated the government of Nicolas Maduro as a foreign terrorist organization, accusing it of involvement in drug trafficking.
Amid rising tensions, Trump did not rule out the possibility of a future US military campaign against Venezuela. He also recently said that a strike had been carried out on a site in Venezuelan territory — according to him, loading docks were hit that were likely used by vessels to transfer drugs.
