Explosions Rock Caracas Amid Heightened Tensions
*Explosions Rock Caracas Amid Heightened US-Venezuela Tensions*
Multiple explosions have been heard in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, with plumes of smoke rising from the area, Al Jazeera reports. The blasts occurred near a major military base, Fortuna, in the southern part of the city, leaving the area without electricity.
Video footage obtained by Al Jazeera shows balls of fire and thick smoke coming from a structure next to a body of water in Caracas. The Associated Press reports at least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in the capital.
Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman, reporting from Santiago, Chile, says the explosion occurred near or around Fortuna, a key military base in Caracas. “A series of explosions were reportedly heard throughout the area followed by a blackout,” Newman said.
The Venezuelan government has not officially responded to the incident, but President Nicolas Maduro has previously accused the US of trying to topple his government and gain access to Venezuela’s oil reserves.
The US has been exerting pressure on Maduro’s government, with sanctions and military actions, including strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
The situation in Caracas remains tense, with residents reporting hearing multiple blasts and seeing smoke columns rising from the area.
Author: Korkor Anumu
