Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Reports surfaced of numerous explosions and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. The incident has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan government and demands for global scrutiny.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Military Action
The socialist regime has condemned the Washington of committing "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly directed strikes against the South American nation. In an public statement, the government asserted that attacks had targeted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its petroleum and mineral wealth," the government said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to condemn the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of international law" that put numerous of lives in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing roughly seven detonations around the middle of the night local time. Residents in various districts allegedly rushed into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and aircraft in the distance," stated one witness.
Black smoke was observed rising from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
International Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He called for an urgent emergency session of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate defense plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
These alleged strikes come after a prolonged campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a major US military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all national defence protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this external attack."
The White House and the Defense Department have not publicly addressed requests for comment regarding the reports.
