Explosions and rising smoke were heard in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, according to an Al Jazeera correspondent there, among spiral tensions with the United States.
Footage obtained by Al Jazeera showed fireballs and thick smoke billowing from a structure near a body of water in Caracas early Saturday.
Citing sources, Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman, reporting from Santiago, Chile, said the explosion occurred near or around Fortuna, the main military base in Caracas.
“Fortuna is a major military base there. A series of explosions were reportedly heard throughout the area followed by a blackout,” said Newman.
Our correspondent added that there is a “presumption” that the United States has something to do with the incident.
“We still don’t know how this explosion happened. There is also the possibility that this is an act of internal sabotage among elements of the military who are trying to oust President Nicolas Maduro,” noted Newman.
The Associated Press news agency reported at least seven explosions and low-flying planes were heard in the capital.
In recent days, Venezuela’s Maduro indicated that Venezuela was open to negotiating a deal with the United States to combat drug trafficking, even as he remained silent on a reported CIA strike on his country last week.
The latest statement, made during an interview that aired Thursday, came as Maduro struck a more conciliatory tone toward the United States amid Washington’s months-long campaign of sanctions and military pressure.
Still, Maduro renewed his allegations that the United States is trying to topple his government and gain access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves through sanctions and Washington’s months-long campaign of military pressure.
Asked pointedly if he confirmed or denied a US attack on Venezuelan soil, Maduro said: “This could be something we talk about in a few days.”
Maduro said that the approach of the Trump administration makes it “clear” that the United States “seeks to impose itself” on Venezuela through “threats, intimidation and force”.
Maduro’s interview was recorded on New Year’s Eve, the same day the US military struck five alleged drug smuggling boats, killing at least five people.
The latest attacks bring the total number of known boat attacks in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific to 35 and the number of people killed to at least 115, according to numbers announced by the Trump administration.
Venezuelans and Colombians were among the victims.