Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Accounts emerged of multiple explosions and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. This situation has led to accusations from Venezuela's government and requests for diplomatic action.
Caracas Blames Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has condemned the US of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the Latin American nation. In an public announcement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of this attack is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela declared.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to denounce the actions, which it termed a "clear infringement of global law" that put countless of lives at risk in danger.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing roughly several powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in various neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and aircraft in the area," commented one local.
Smoke was reported rising from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
Regional Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate security plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
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 Venezuela's northern coast and a number of air strikes on ships accused of illegal activities.
The government has declared "a state of emergency" and directed all defense measures to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "reject this imperialist act."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not publicly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.
