Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Accounts circulated of numerous blasts and the sound of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This event has led to claims from the Venezuelan government and calls for international action.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent regime has condemned the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly authorized attacks against the South American country. In an formal statement, the government stated that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela said.
Caracas called on the world to censure the strikes, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international law" that endangered numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted
Residents described feeling at least several powerful blasts around the middle of the night local time. People in several neighborhoods reportedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and jets in the distance," commented one resident.
Black smoke was reported rising from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate security plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged attacks follow a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since August, authorities reported a significant American military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of external threat" and ordered all national defence plans to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to mobilize and "denounce this foreign attack."
The White House and the Pentagon have not immediately responded to inquiries for comment regarding the events.
