Detonations and Low-Flying Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Reports emerged of several detonations and the noise of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The situation has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for global intervention.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Military Action
The authoritarian administration has condemned the Washington of committing "foreign aggression," stating that former President Trump reportedly directed military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an official statement, the government stated that strikes had hit the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to take control of our nation's natural resources, notably its petroleum and minerals," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the global community to denounce the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of international law" that put millions of civilians in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses described feeling at least several detonations around the middle of the night local time. Residents in several districts reportedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and planes in the distance," said one witness.
Black smoke was seen billowing from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is reported to live.
Regional Reaction
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
These alleged attacks come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Since last summer, there has been a major American military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on ships accused of narco-trafficking.
The government has announced "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this external act."
American officials and the Pentagon did not immediately responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the allegations.
