Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Reports surfaced of multiple detonations and the sound of low-flying planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. This situation has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan government and requests for global action.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Attack
The incumbent regime has condemned the Washington of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the Latin American country. In an official statement, the government asserted that strikes had hit Caracas and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of these strikes is to take control of our nation's key assets, notably its crude oil and minerals," the government said.
The government appealed to the world to denounce the actions, which it termed a "clear infringement of global law" that put millions of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Installations Targeted
Locals described experiencing roughly seven explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in various neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the open.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the area," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was observed rising from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Global Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on X that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an swift emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate defense protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
The alleged attacks follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in August, there has been a major American military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "a state of external threat" and commanded all defense protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not publicly addressed requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
