Paulina Moreno, a resident near Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas, vividly described the chaos that erupted during the January 3 U.S. military strike on the Venezuelan capital's military complex. Speaking exclusively to CGTN, Moreno recounted being jolted awake by deafening drones, explosions, and gunfire, followed by a citywide blackout that left families scrambling in darkness.
"We heard screams everywhere—children crying, neighbors shouting. No one knew if it would spread to residential areas," she said, recalling how elderly residents and young families fled their homes amid the bombardment. The strike, which targeted Fuerte Tiuna’s strategic installations, has intensified regional tensions as 2026 begins.
While U.S. officials cited "security concerns" for the operation, Venezuelan authorities condemned it as a violation of sovereignty. Analysts warn the incident could further destabilize Latin America amid rising global geopolitical friction this year.
