Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous explosions and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The situation has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns US of Military Action
Venezuela's incumbent administration has accused the United States of what it calls "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the South American country. In an official announcement, the authorities stated that attacks had hit the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its petroleum and resources," the government said.
The government appealed to the global community to condemn the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that placed countless of lives at risk in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted
Residents spoke of experiencing at least multiple powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in several areas allegedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and planes in the distance," said one local.
Smoke was seen billowing from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on X that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate defense plans at its border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported attacks are preceded by a prolonged campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant US military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on vessels linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence protocols to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this foreign attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not immediately addressed requests for a statement regarding the reports.
