“Caracas Under Attack”: Explosions Rock Venezuelan Capital After US Military Action

New Delhi: Caracas was jolted by a series of powerful explosions early Saturday after the United States carried out strikes on targets inside Venezuela, marking a dramatic escalation in Washington’s confrontation with President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The operation was ordered by US President Donald Trump and reportedly hit multiple locations, including military-related facilities.
Residents across several neighbourhoods of the Venezuelan capital reported hearing loud blasts accompanied by the sound of aircraft flying at low altitude in the early hours of the morning. The explosions were strong enough to shake buildings, prompting people to rush out of their homes and gather on the streets in confusion and fear. While the exact locations struck were not immediately confirmed, the intensity and spread of the blasts suggested a coordinated military action.
The strikes come amid sharply rising tensions between the two countries. In recent days, the United States had moved a naval task force into the Caribbean and openly discussed the possibility of direct military action against Venezuela. American authorities have stated that their operations in the region are linked to counter-narcotics efforts, alleging that Venezuelan networks are involved in large-scale drug trafficking.
Earlier this week, President Trump said US forces had destroyed a coastal docking facility allegedly used by drug-smuggling boats, though details of that operation were not disclosed. If confirmed, Saturday’s action would represent the first acknowledged US strike on Venezuelan territory in years, significantly raising the stakes in the standoff.
The Venezuelan government has so far not issued a formal confirmation or denial of the reported strikes. President Maduro had recently indicated a willingness to engage with Washington, even as pressure mounted through tighter sanctions, restrictions on airspace, and the seizure of oil tankers carrying Venezuelan crude.
Maduro has consistently rejected US allegations that he leads a narco-trafficking network, arguing instead that Washington’s actions are driven by political motives and Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Regional concern also intensified following the explosions, with leaders in neighbouring countries warning that the situation could destabilise South America if it escalates further.
As uncertainty continues to surround the scope and objectives of the strikes, Caracas remains on edge, with residents bracing for possible further developments in an increasingly volatile conflict.