Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The situation has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and demands for international action.
Caracas Accuses United States of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has condemned the Washington of committing "foreign aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the South American nation. In an formal announcement, the government stated that attacks had targeted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement declared.
Caracas called on the world to denounce the actions, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that put millions of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Targeted
Residents reported feeling approximately multiple detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in various areas allegedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the distance," said one local.
Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Maduro is reported to live.
Global Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He requested an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, said it would activate operational plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged attacks come after a months-long pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, there has been a significant naval presence off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
The government has declared "a state of external disturbance" and directed all national defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this external attack."
American officials and the Defense Department have not immediately responded to requests for a statement regarding the events.
