Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Accounts circulated of numerous blasts and the noise of low-flying planes in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. This situation has prompted allegations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for global intervention.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Attack
Venezuela's socialist regime has blamed the United States of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly directed military strikes against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the government asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its petroleum and resources," the statement asserted.
Caracas urged the global community to censure the strikes, which it described a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed countless of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Locals spoke of feeling approximately several explosions around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in different areas reportedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the sky," stated one witness.
Black smoke was observed billowing from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
Regional Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on social media that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an swift meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would activate operational measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These reported attacks come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro government. Since last summer, authorities reported a major naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
The administration has stated "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defense plans to be initiated. It has also urged its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external aggression."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not promptly addressed requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
