Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of numerous blasts and the roar of low-flying planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. This incident has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for global scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses United States of Aggression
The incumbent administration has blamed the US of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized military strikes against the South American state. In an formal announcement, the government asserted that attacks had hit the capital and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its oil and minerals," the government declared.
Caracas urged the international community to condemn the actions, which it labeled a "blatant breach of global law" that put countless of civilians in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Locals described feeling at least multiple powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. People in different districts allegedly ran into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and aircraft in the sky," commented one witness.
Smoke was reported billowing from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is thought to reside.
Regional Response
The president of bordering Colombia, stated on X that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He requested an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate security protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
The reported attacks follow a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a significant US military buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on ships accused of narco-trafficking.
The government has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence plans to be activated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "repudiate this external aggression."
American officials and the Defense Department did not immediately commented on inquiries for a statement regarding the events.
