Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous blasts and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The situation has led to accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and requests for global intervention.
Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action
The socialist government has blamed the United States of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly authorized attacks against the Latin American nation. In an formal statement, the authorities stated that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, notably its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
Caracas urged the world to denounce the operations, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international law" that endangered countless of lives at risk in danger.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Locals described feeling at least seven detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in various areas reportedly ran into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and jets in the area," commented one local.
Plumes of smoke was observed rising from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an urgent emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, said it would activate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The reported attacks come after a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro government. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external threat" and directed all defense measures to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign attack."
The White House and the Defense Department did not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the events.
