Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous blasts and the noise of low-flying jets in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This event has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for international intervention.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Military Action
Venezuela's incumbent government has blamed the United States of what it calls "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American state. In an public declaration, the government stated that attacks had hit the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the government said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to condemn the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that put numerous of civilians in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing approximately seven detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in several neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and planes in the sky," said one witness.
Black smoke was reported billowing from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
Regional Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on X that "Currently they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He called for an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes follow a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro administration. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all defense plans to be initiated. It has also called on its supporters to mobilize and "denounce this external attack."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not publicly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.
