Detonations and Low-Altitude Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Reports emerged of numerous explosions and the roar of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This situation has led to allegations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent regime has blamed the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Trump reportedly ordered military strikes against the South American state. In an official statement, the authorities stated that attacks had hit Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
The government called on the world to censure the actions, which it described a "blatant breach of international law" that put countless of lives in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Military Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing approximately multiple powerful blasts around the middle of the night local time. People in different districts reportedly ran into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the sky," stated one witness.
Smoke was reported rising from two defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Regional Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an swift emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate security plans at its border with Venezuela.
Background
These reported strikes come after a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of external threat" and directed all national defence protocols to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to take to the streets and "reject this external attack."
American officials and the Defense Department did not immediately addressed requests for comment regarding the allegations.
