Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of multiple blasts and the roar of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. The situation has sparked accusations from Venezuela's authorities and demands for diplomatic action.
Caracas Condemns US of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian administration has accused the US of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly authorized strikes against the Latin American nation. In an public announcement, the government confirmed that attacks had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of this aggression is to take control of our nation's key assets, especially its oil and resources," Venezuela declared.
Caracas called on the international community to censure the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that put countless of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Sites Hit
Locals spoke of experiencing roughly seven detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in several neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the area," said one resident.
Smoke was reported billowing from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Global Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He called for an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate defense protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
The alleged attacks follow a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, there has been a significant American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on boats linked to illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense plans to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to protest and "denounce this foreign attack."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not promptly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the events.
