Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of several explosions and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. This incident has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan government and demands for international intervention.
Caracas Blames United States of Aggression
The socialist administration has blamed the United States of committing "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the South American country. In an formal announcement, the government stated that attacks had impacted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the international community to condemn the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of international norms" that put countless of civilians in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Installations Hit
Locals reported experiencing roughly multiple powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in different districts reportedly rushed into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and aircraft in the distance," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was seen billowing from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
Global Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate security measures at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
The alleged strikes are preceded by a months-long pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial American military presence off the country's northern coast and a number of air strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
The administration has stated "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all defense plans to be initiated. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign attack."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not publicly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
