At a Glance
- Dec. 18: An explosion destroyed a hut in Venezuela’s Alta Guajira, witnessed by Wayuu community members.
- President Trump claimed a U.S. strike on a Venezuelan facility two nights earlier, but no link has been confirmed.
- The U.S. has carried out multiple drone strikes on boats in international waters, citing drug trafficking.
- Why it matters: The incident fuels speculation about U.S. military activity in Venezuela and raises questions about responsibility and potential escalation.
The blast that rocked the arid coastal strip of Alta Guajira on Dec. 18 has sparked confusion over who may have struck the site and whether it ties into the U.S. pressure campaign against Venezuela.
Witness Accounts
Ana, a Wayuu fisherman who kept her last name private, called News Of Philadelphia by phone and described the explosion as “the loudest thing she had ever heard.”
> “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Ana said.
She added that the blast destroyed her hut and damaged her family’s boat and fishing nets.
The second witness, also a Wayuu, confirmed Ana’s story.
> “I don’t know if it was a missile or a rocket. The truth is, we don’t know what it was,” he said.
Both witnesses noted that the explosion occurred in the afternoon and left their relatives with hearing loss.
Trump’s Statements
In a short phone interview, President Trump referenced a “big plant or big facility” strike that he said happened two nights earlier.
When asked about the explosion during a Mar-a-Lago press availability, Trump said it was a “major explosion” in a dock area along Venezuela’s shoreline where boats were loaded with drugs.
> “It was a major explosion,” Trump stated.
He declined to name the agency or military branch responsible for the strike.
U.S. Military Pressure
The U.S. has been conducting dozens of drone strikes on boats in international waters, claiming the vessels carried drugs.
The White House has not provided evidence to support the drug-trafficking allegations.
The CIA has declined to comment on reports of a drone strike at a Venezuelan port facility last week.
Government Response
Representatives from the Venezuelan government visited the site the morning after the blast, on Dec. 19.
They asked locals for medical help and new fishing gear.
One official blamed the U.S. and said: “The gringos did this.”
News Of Philadelphia reached out to the Venezuelan government for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Speculation and Uncertainty
The lack of clear information has led to speculation about the U.S. target.
On Dec. 24, a separate explosion in Maracaibo’s Primazol warehouse was reported, but the company “categorically rejected” rumors that it was linked to a U.S. strike.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec. 18 | Explosion in Alta Guajira |
| Dec. 19 | Venezuelan officials visit blast site |
| Dec. 24 | Primazol warehouse fire in Maracaibo |
The incident underscores the tension between Venezuela and the U.S. as the former faces increasing military pressure.
Key Takeaways
- The Dec. 18 explosion in Alta Guajira remains unlinked to any confirmed U.S. strike.
- President Trump claims a U.S. strike on a Venezuelan facility but offers no details.
- The U.S. continues to conduct drone strikes on boats in international waters, citing drug trafficking.
The situation remains fluid, with Venezuelan officials and the U.S. government offering limited clarity.
