Political scientist Ovelar wrote for Harici from Caracas: ‘Venezuela woke up to the horror of imperialist intervention’

In the early hours of January 3rd, still in the throes of the New Year’s festivities, residents of some areas of Caracas awoke to tremors and loud noises. For a few seconds, still half-asleep, I considered the possibility that it was an earthquake, as these are quite common in Caracas. Then I thought it could also be a military evacuation drill, one of the many that the Venezuelan government has carried out in the past, since a US intervention under the Trump presidency was a very real possibility.

However, the worst news was confirmed amidst screams and more explosions. The United States was bombing Caracas. It was 2:00 a.m., and Fort Tiuna, headquarters of the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense, was without power. The darkness was almost total, as the sky was filled with gray clouds, and, of course, smoke and fire. Fort Tiuna also has a residential area for civilians, dozens of buildings separated from the attacked military sector by a simple security checkpoint. I lived there.

Grandparents could be seen being carried, and children could be seen descending the stairs, completely bewildered. Then, those same children could be seen crying, searching for their parents, and the grandparents in their wheelchairs. Families were gathered, trying to decide whether to stay or leave one of the places that had been a military target of the United States government. At Fort Tiuna, there was no electricity, no phone signal, no internet. Only despair, stories, and disbelief.

The most intense air attack, presumably entirely by drones, lasted approximately one hour, until 3:00 a.m. From then on, the rest appeared to be a confrontation between Venezuelan government military forces and the invaders. The internet returned very weakly and intermittently. The electricity did not return, but it was learned via cell phone that other targets in Caracas had been attacked, La Carlota (an airport for military use).

Fake news spread most quickly, creating a moment of great fear and anxiety. International media then reported that President Nicolás Maduro and the Venezuelan First Lady, Cilia Flores, had been captured by the United States government. Finally, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello issued the first official statements.

Official spokespeople condemned the violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and demanded the return of the president and his wife, whom they described as being kidnapped. They called for calm while simultaneously urging people to maintain “nerves of steel” to resist this imperialist attack, which sets a dangerous precedent for Latin America and the world.

At this hour, the atmosphere in Caracas is one of tense calm. Basic services, except in the bombed areas, are functioning. There is electricity, water, and internet; however, public transportation is barely operating, and most businesses are closed.

People have taken to the streets, which remain bustling with activity as individuals seek safer locations and as solidarity groups and activists demonstrate in support of President Maduro. Uncertainty reigns, but the feeling is that the government still holds sway in the country.