Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of multiple blasts and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This situation has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian administration has accused the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the South American country. In an public announcement, the government asserted that attacks had impacted the capital and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," Venezuela declared.
Caracas appealed to the international community to condemn the actions, which it described a "flagrant violation of international law" that put numerous of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses described hearing roughly several powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in several neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We experienced explosions and jets in the distance," stated one resident.
Smoke was observed billowing from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
International Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "At this moment they are striking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate defense measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
The reported attacks follow a months-long pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a major US military buildup off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all national defense protocols to be activated. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this foreign attack."
American officials and the Pentagon did not immediately addressed requests for comment regarding the allegations.
