Detonations and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The situation has led to allegations from Venezuela's government and demands for global action.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Aggression
The socialist administration has blamed the Washington of committing "foreign aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump allegedly authorized strikes against the Latin American state. In an public statement, the government asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's key assets, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement declared.
Caracas appealed to the world to denounce the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that placed numerous of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Locals spoke of experiencing roughly seven detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. Citizens in several districts reportedly ran into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and planes in the sky," said one resident.
Plumes of smoke was observed rising from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on X that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate defense protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
These reported strikes follow a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro regime. Since August, there has been a major naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defense plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "repudiate this foreign attack."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not publicly addressed requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
