Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of several explosions and the roar of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. This incident has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for international action.
Caracas Accuses United States of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has blamed the US of committing "foreign aggression," stating that former President Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the South American nation. In an formal declaration, the government stated that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this attack is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and resources," the statement said.
The government appealed to the world to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international norms" that endangered millions of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Locals described hearing approximately seven explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in several areas allegedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and aircraft in the area," stated one resident.
Smoke was seen pouring from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
International Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, announced it would activate defense protocols at its border with its neighbor.
Background
The reported attacks follow a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro government. Since August, there has been a substantial US military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on boats suspected of illegal activities.
The government has announced "a state of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence protocols to be implemented. It has also summoned its supporters to mobilize and "denounce this external act."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not promptly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.
