At a Glance
- Explosion on Dec. 18 along Venezuela’s coast sparks speculation about a U.S. strike.
- Witnesses from the Wayuu community say a hut and fishing boat were destroyed.
- President Donald Trump referenced a “major explosion” in a recent interview, but no link has been confirmed.
Why it matters: The incident fuels debate over U.S. military actions against Venezuela and raises concerns for local communities.
A mysterious explosion on Venezuela’s coast on Dec. 18 has ignited speculation about a U.S. strike. Local Wayuu witnesses report a hut and fishing boat destroyed, while President Donald Trump has referenced a “major explosion” in recent remarks. The incident has prompted government officials and the CIA to remain silent, leaving the true cause unclear.
The Explosion and Witness Accounts
The arid coastal strip in the northwest of Venezuela, known as Alta Guajira, is heavily controlled by the National Liberation Army (ELN). Two members of the Wayuu indigenous community told News Of Fort Worth that they saw an unexplained explosion that destroyed a hut used for storage.
- Witness Ana described a loud blast that prevented hearing for hours and damaged her family’s boat and fishing nets.
- A second unnamed witness said it was “a big explosion” but could not identify whether it was a missile or rocket.
- Government representatives arrived the next morning and blamed the U.S., calling the attackers “gringos.”
Ana said:
> “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Second Witness said:
> “I don’t know if it was a missile or a rocket. The truth is, we don’t know what it was.”
Government Representative said:
> “The gringos did this.”
US Statements and Speculation
President Trump said in an interview with News Of Fort Worth that the U.S. had “knocked out” a facility tied to Venezuela, a claim that would represent a major escalation. The White House has not confirmed any land strikes, and the CIA declined to comment. Trump declined to identify who carried out the strike, saying he knew but did not want to disclose.
President Donald Trump said:
> “I don’t want to say that. I know exactly who it was, but I don’t want to say who it was. But you know, it was along the shore.”
| Date | Location | Witness | Government Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 18 | Alta Guajira, Venezuela | Wayuu community members | Blamed U.S. (“gringos”) |
Key Takeaways
- The Dec. 18 explosion remains unverified as a U.S. strike.
- Wayuu witnesses report significant damage to homes and boats.
- Trump’s comments have not been corroborated by official U.S. or Venezuelan statements.
With no definitive source identified, the incident continues to cast doubt over the extent of U.S. military pressure on Venezuela and underscores the vulnerability of local communities.
