The diplomatic crisis between the United States and Venezuela has entered a new phase of maximum tension after the government of Nicolás Maduro denounced this Friday a military aggression attributed to Washington, with explosions and air movements in Caracas and other areas of the country, according to Venezuelan official sources.
The city of Caracas and other parts of Venezuela woke up early this morning to the sound of several explosions at key points of the Chavista government’s infrastructure, including military bases and ports, and the headquarters of the country’s intelligence service.
Donald Trump would have authorized the attack this very night, according to U.S. media.
The Venezuelan authorities activated national emergency protocols and assured that strategic infrastructures had been affected, without providing independently verifiable evidence for the moment. The situation has generated international alarm and a strong political impact in Latin America.
US does not confirm attacks, but increases pressure
So far, the White House and the Pentagon have not officially confirmed any direct military operation against Venezuela. However, Caracas’ denunciation comes in a context of increasing US pressure, with naval operations in the Caribbean, reinforcement of economic sanctions and an increasingly harsh discourse against the Venezuelan Executive.
Washington insists that the actions in the region respond to the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, while Caracas interprets these movements as a direct threat to its sovereignty.
A simmering conflict that is flaring up again
Relations between the US and Venezuela have been deteriorating for years, but the escalation of the last few weeks marks a turning point. Economic sanctions and a financial blockade have been joined by military deterrence operations, maritime interceptions and cross accusations of violating international law.
The Maduro government accuses Washington of seeking control of strategic resources, especially oil, while the United States maintains that Venezuela is a destabilizing actor in the region.
Reactions in Latin America
Several regional leaders have called for prudence and international mediation, warning of the risk that a direct clash could lead to a humanitarian and geopolitical crisis of great dimensions. Multilateral organizations are closely monitoring the situation for fear of a new source of instability in the continent.
Is there room for a diplomatic solution?
Despite the gravity of the moment, the Venezuelan Executive has reiterated in the last hours that it does not close the door to dialogue, as long as the sovereignty of the country and the lifting of sanctions are respected, according to its version. For now, the international community is waiting for independent confirmations to clarify what really happened on the ground.
