Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Reports circulated of several explosions and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. The event has led to allegations from the Venezuelan government and requests for international scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action
The socialist administration has condemned the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the South American nation. In an official declaration, the authorities stated that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of these strikes is to take control of our nation's key assets, in particular its oil and resources," Venezuela declared.
Caracas urged the world to denounce the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that put countless of civilians in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing roughly several detonations around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in several neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and planes in the distance," said one local.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from two army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.
International Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, stated it would activate defense protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged strikes follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant naval deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all national defense protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department did not immediately commented on inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.
