Blasts and Low-Altitude Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous detonations and the roar of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. The event has prompted claims from Venezuela's government and demands for global scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian government has blamed the United States of what it calls "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the South American nation. In an formal statement, the government asserted that attacks had targeted the capital and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's key assets, notably its crude oil and minerals," Venezuela said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to denounce the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that placed millions of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted
Locals described hearing approximately several powerful blasts around the middle of the night local time. People in several neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We heard blasts and aircraft in the sky," stated one witness.
Smoke was seen rising from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
Global Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an swift emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would initiate security measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Context
The reported attacks come after a months-long pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro administration. Since August, authorities reported a major naval presence off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to take to the streets and "reject this imperialist act."
American officials and the Pentagon have not immediately responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the events.
