Detonations and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of multiple blasts and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. The incident has sparked claims from the Venezuelan authorities and requests for diplomatic action.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Attack
The socialist administration has condemned the United States of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the Latin American country. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the government asserted.
Venezuelan officials called on the world to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed numerous of lives in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses described feeling approximately multiple detonations around 2:00 AM local time. Citizens in several neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the area," stated one witness.
Smoke was reported billowing from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on social media that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an swift meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would activate operational measures at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes follow a extended military buildup by the US against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial US military buildup off the country's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also urged its citizens to protest and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not immediately responded to requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
