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Explosions and rising smoke have been reported in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, as tensions between Venezuela and the United States continue to escalate, according to an Al Jazeera correspondent on the ground.
Reuters cited witnesses who said loud noises were heard across Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, while the Associated Press reported at least seven explosions along with the sound of low-flying aircraft. Parts of the southern city, near a major military base, were said to be without electricity.
These developments come as President Nicolás Maduro recently signaled a willingness to negotiate with the United States on counter-drug trafficking efforts. However, he has remained non-committal about reports of a CIA-led strike on Venezuelan territory last week.
Speaking in an interview aired on Thursday, Maduro adopted a more conciliatory tone toward Washington, despite months of US sanctions and military pressure. At the same time, he repeated claims that the US is seeking to overthrow his government and gain access to Venezuela’s vast oil resources.
“If they want oil, Venezuela is open to US investment, as with Chevron,” Maduro said, referring to the American oil company that continues to export Venezuelan crude to the US.
When asked directly to confirm or deny a US attack on Venezuelan soil, Maduro replied that it was an issue that “could be discussed in a few days.” He also accused the Trump administration of trying to impose its will on Venezuela through “threats, intimidation, and force.”
The interview was recorded on New Year’s Eve, the same day US forces struck five suspected drug-smuggling boats, killing at least five people. According to figures released by the Trump administration, these latest incidents bring the total number of reported boat strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific to 35, with at least 115 people killed so far. Venezuelans and Colombians are among the casualties.
