According to Agence France-Presse journalists, several explosions have rocked the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. Reports note that an area near a military base in the southern part of the city has been left without power.

Local sources say around ten helicopters were seen over the city, including CH-53 and CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters. Initial reports indicate that strikes were carried out on facilities at Forte Tiuna and at the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda air base. It is also reported that the Venezuelan Air Force scrambled Su-30MKV fighter jets.

In recent months, the United States has repeatedly used its armed forces to destroy boats that, according to Washington, were carrying narcotics. U.S. authorities insist these operations are directed against transnational crime and drug trafficking.

Against this backdrop, relations between Caracas and Washington have sharply deteriorated. The White House has given the CIA the «green light» to conduct covert operations in Venezuela aimed at destabilising the government of Nicolas Maduro. U. S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced a reward of 50 million dollars for information leading to the arrest of the Venezuelan leader.

In mid-December, U. S. President Donald Trump placed the leadership of the Latin American republic on the list of foreign terrorist organizations, accusing it of asset theft, terrorism, drug smuggling and human trafficking. He demanded the return of what he described as stolen oil, land and financial assets, and warned that all tankers under sanctions would be blocked.