Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of several blasts and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. The situation has sparked claims from the Venezuelan government and demands for global scrutiny.
Venezuela Accuses US of Aggression
The incumbent administration has condemned the United States of committing "foreign aggression," stating that former President Trump reportedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an formal statement, the government asserted that strikes had hit the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of this aggression is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.
The government appealed to the world to censure the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed countless of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Residents described experiencing roughly seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. People in various neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the distance," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, wrote on X that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, said it would initiate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These alleged attacks are preceded by a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a major naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and directed all national defence measures to be initiated. It has also called on its supporters to take to the streets and "reject this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not immediately addressed requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
