Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Accounts circulated of multiple detonations and the roar of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's government and calls for international action.
Caracas Condemns United States of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent administration has condemned the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump reportedly ordered military strikes against the South American country. In an public statement, the government asserted that strikes had targeted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its oil and resources," Venezuela declared.
The government urged the international community to denounce the actions, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that put millions of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Military Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses described experiencing roughly multiple explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in several areas reportedly rushed into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and planes in the distance," commented one resident.
Black smoke was seen billowing from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Regional Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate security plans at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a major American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and directed all defense measures to be activated. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "denounce this external attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly addressed requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
