Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Accounts circulated of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This incident has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for global intervention.
Venezuela Accuses US of Attack
The authoritarian government has condemned the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an official statement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had targeted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and minerals," the statement said.
Caracas urged the world to condemn the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that placed countless of lives at risk in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Residents described hearing roughly seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. People in various neighborhoods allegedly ran into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and planes in the distance," stated one resident.
Plumes of smoke was seen rising from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Maduro is reported to live.
Global Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would initiate security protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged strikes are preceded by a months-long campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro government. Since August, there has been a significant US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships linked to illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of emergency" and directed all defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "reject this external act."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not promptly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
