Two members of Venezuela’s Wayuu indigenous community in the area told NBC News that they witnessed an unexplained explosion on Dec. 18 that destroyed a hut that possibly was used for storage.

The following is a deep look at contemporary Venezuela, its history, its riches, its alliances and its delicate internal balance of power amid growing tensions with the US.

The number of American citizens held in Venezuela has grown since the start of the U.S. military and economic campaign against President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump acknowledged a covert U.S. strike on Venezuelan territory in an interview with a local news outlet on the day after Christmas, setting off a scramble to clarify which target he was talking about.

Chinese oil tankers are pressing ahead with Venezuela-linked voyages despite a U.S. blockade and an escalating campaign of tanker seizures. Two Chinese-flagged VLCCs are operating near Venezuelan waters,

President Donald Trump seemingly confirms U.S. strike on alleged drug facility, marking potential escalation in Venezuela campaign amid Caribbean military buildup.

The Trump administration’s military operations to pressure Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro by targeting “narco-terrorists” have broadened to include a land attack,

The online petition, which was closing in on 42,000 s ignatures as of 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday, calls on lawmakers to “rein in these unconstitutional military strikes and stop Trump from sending us to war with Venezuela!” Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment via email.