Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous detonations and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. The situation has led to allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for global action.
Caracas Accuses United States of Attack
Venezuela's socialist regime has condemned the US of committing "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the Latin American nation. In an official statement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, especially its petroleum and minerals," the government asserted.
Caracas appealed to the world to denounce the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that placed millions of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Hit
Locals described experiencing at least seven detonations around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in several areas allegedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and jets in the area," said one witness.
Plumes of smoke was seen pouring from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Maduro is believed to live.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on X that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He called for an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate security measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
These reported strikes are preceded by a months-long military buildup by the US against the Maduro administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military presence off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
The administration has announced "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "reject this imperialist attack."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not publicly commented on requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
