Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Accounts surfaced of numerous blasts and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. This incident has prompted claims from Venezuela's government and demands for international action.
Caracas Blames United States of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist administration has accused the US of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly directed attacks against the South American country. In an formal announcement, the government confirmed that attacks had impacted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's key assets, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.
The government appealed to the global community to censure the operations, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that put countless of lives in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Locals described hearing approximately seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in different areas reportedly rushed into the open.
"Everything shook. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," stated one resident.
Black smoke was observed rising from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
International Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate operational measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These reported attacks come after a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Since August, there has been a major American military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all national defense measures to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign aggression."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not promptly addressed requests for a statement regarding the reports.
