Detonations and Low-Altitude Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of several blasts and the sound of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. This situation has sparked accusations from Venezuela's government and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Aggression
The authoritarian government has accused the US of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the Latin American nation. In an official statement, the government confirmed that strikes had targeted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to gain control of our nation's key assets, notably its oil and mineral wealth," the government said.
Caracas called on the world to condemn the actions, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that put numerous of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Residents reported feeling roughly several detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in various areas reportedly ran into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We heard blasts and jets in the distance," said one resident.
Black smoke was seen billowing from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are striking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would activate defense protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
These alleged strikes come after a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Since August, there has been a major naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
The government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and directed all defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign act."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not publicly addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
