Explosion rocks Venezuelan oil refinery, sabotage possibility under investigation VIDEO

A massive explosion and fire erupted at Venezuela’s Petrocedeno oil upgrader in Anzoátegui state, sending thick plumes of smoke over the facility and prompting emergency evacuations.

The blast reportedly occurred near a key distillation tower, though officials have yet to release casualty figures or clarify the full extent of the damage and any disruptions to oil output, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The refinery, a critical component of Venezuela’s economy, processes heavy crude for export, underscoring the potential impact of the incident. Local footage showed flames engulfing storage areas as firefighters battled the blaze well into the night.

The Petrocedeno disaster follows closely on the heels of a deadly gas explosion at the Muscar complex on November 13, which claimed eight lives and curtailed fuel supplies by 60%.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas under US President Donald Trump’s second term. Since August, the US has authorized military strikes on Latin American drug cartels near Venezuelan waters and deployed a significant naval presence in the Caribbean—moves Venezuelan officials describe as “psychological warfare” aimed at pressuring President Nicolás Maduro.

Relations further deteriorated following Maduro’s disputed July reelection, with Trump alleging electoral fraud and alluding to possible intervention. Meanwhile, Venezuela has reportedly sought Russian support for missile and radar systems while quietly exploring oil-for-sanctions relief deals.

The cause of the Petrocedeno explosion is under investigation, with authorities yet to determine whether it resulted from an accident or deliberate sabotage.

By Vafa Guliyeva