Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports surfaced of multiple blasts and the roar of low-flying planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. This incident has prompted claims from the Venezuelan government and calls for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Blames United States of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian administration has accused the United States of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the Latin American country. In an public statement, the government asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's key assets, notably its oil and resources," the government declared.
The government appealed to the international community to censure the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed millions of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses described hearing roughly multiple powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in several areas allegedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We experienced blasts and planes in the distance," commented one local.
Smoke was observed rising from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
International Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate operational protocols at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These reported strikes follow a prolonged military buildup by the US against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, there has been a significant US military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "a state of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence plans to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "reject this imperialist attack."
American officials and the Defense Department did not promptly responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
