Trump administration responds to reports of explosions in Caracas
Illustrative photo: Trump administration responds to reports of explosions in Venezuela’s capital (Getty Images)
The United States has been informed that explosions were heard overnight in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, as well as reports of aircraft flying over the city, according to CBS News.
Sources told CBS News that representatives of the Trump administration are aware of the reports about explosions and aircraft, but the White House has not responded to requests for comment, and the Venezuelan government has issued no immediate reaction.
Journalists also reported that Trump has ordered strikes on targets in Venezuela, including military facilities. However, this has not been officially confirmed by US authorities so far.
At the same time, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has declared a state of emergency in the country and is calling for mobilization.
The events in Venezuela were also addressed by Colombian President Gustavo Petro. In a social media post, he stated that someone was "bombing Caracas in this moment," without specifying who.
"Alert to the whole world, they have attacked Venezuela bombing with missiles," he said, calling for an emergency meeting of the United Nations.
Explosions in Venezuela
Videos surfaced online earlier today showing explosions in Caracas. US aircraft were also reportedly spotted over the city.
It later emerged that the southern part of the city, including an area near a major military base, was left without electricity.
US–Venezuela conflict
On December 16, US President Donald Trump announced a full blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan waters. Washington is seeking to cut off the main financial flows sustaining Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
In recent weeks, the US military intercepted two oil tankers, while another vessel that was being pursued left Venezuelan waters and disappeared into the Atlantic. At the same time, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on ten individuals and companies linked to Iran and Venezuela, suspected of arms trafficking, as well as on several Venezuelan oil companies and tankers.
In addition, Trump recently designated the Maduro government a foreign terrorist organization, accusing it of drug trafficking, and did not rule out US military action against Venezuela. He also stated that the US had struck a facility in the country — loading docks that may have been used for drug smuggling.
