Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Reports circulated of multiple explosions and the noise of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This incident has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan government and demands for global scrutiny.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent government has blamed the US of committing "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Trump allegedly directed attacks against the Latin American nation. In an formal announcement, the government confirmed that strikes had hit the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, notably its petroleum and minerals," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials called on the international community to condemn the strikes, which it described a "blatant breach of global law" that placed millions of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses reported feeling roughly multiple detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in several areas reportedly hurried into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and jets in the distance," commented one witness.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is thought to have a residence.
International Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on X that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate defense measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged strikes come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro regime. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of air strikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.
The government has stated "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defence plans to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "repudiate this external act."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not publicly responded to requests for clarification regarding the events.
