Venezuela’s government has accused the United States of launching attacks on both civilian and military installations across the country. This accusation follows a night of chaos in the capital, Caracas, where residents reported at least seven explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft around 02:00 local time on Saturday.
The Pentagon has not publicly commented on the allegations, deferring inquiries to the White House, which has not yet responded. In a related move, the Federal Aviation Authority has prohibited U.S. commercial flights from entering Venezuelan airspace, citing “ongoing military activity” in the region.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as smoke billowed from a military hangar in Caracas. Another military facility reportedly experienced power outages, prompting residents to flood the streets. One witness, Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, expressed her fear: “The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes.”
In response to the situation, the Venezuelan government has called for public mobilization. A statement urged supporters to take to the streets, declaring: “People to the streets! The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.” President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the implementation of all national defense strategies and announced a “state of external disturbance.”
This escalation occurs amid a backdrop of U.S. military operations targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. Recently, Maduro indicated a willingness to negotiate with the U.S. regarding drug trafficking. In a pre-recorded interview aired on Thursday, he claimed the U.S. aims to instigate a change in the Venezuelan government and gain access to the country’s extensive oil reserves.
The U.S. has previously charged Maduro with narco-terrorism, and last week, the CIA reportedly conducted a drone strike on a site believed to be associated with Venezuelan drug cartels, marking a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in Venezuela.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Venezuela for months, suggesting he could order strikes on targets within the country. The U.S. military has intensified operations in the region, launching attacks on vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean since early September. According to official reports, there have been a total of 35 known strikes on boats, resulting in at least 115 casualties.
The military buildup in the region has included the deployment of advanced aircraft carriers, significantly increasing the U.S. presence in South America—reportedly the largest in decades. Trump has defended these military actions as a necessary measure to combat drug trafficking, asserting that the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels.
As tensions escalate, the situation in Venezuela remains volatile, with both military and civilian lives at stake.
