Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This situation has sparked accusations from Venezuela's government and calls for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent government has blamed the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump reportedly directed attacks against the Latin American country. In an formal declaration, the authorities confirmed that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
The government called on the global community to censure the actions, which it described a "flagrant violation of international norms" that put countless of lives in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses described experiencing at least multiple detonations around 2:00 AM local time. People in various neighborhoods allegedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and aircraft in the distance," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was seen pouring from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Maduro is reported to have a residence.
Global Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "At this moment they are striking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency session of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would activate security measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These alleged attacks follow a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro government. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial naval buildup off the country's northern coast and a number of air strikes on vessels suspected of narco-trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of external threat" and directed all defense measures to be initiated. It has also called on its supporters to mobilize and "denounce this external aggression."
The White House and the US Department of Defense did not immediately addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.
