Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts surfaced of several blasts and the sound of low-flying planes in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. The incident has prompted accusations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for international action.
Venezuela Accuses US of Attack
Venezuela's socialist administration has condemned the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the Latin American nation. In an public declaration, the government confirmed that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, notably its petroleum and minerals," the statement declared.
The government appealed to the global community to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of global law" that put numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing at least multiple explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in several districts reportedly rushed into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the area," said one resident.
Plumes of smoke was reported rising from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
International Reaction
The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on X that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He called for an swift emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, stated it would initiate operational plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged attacks follow a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Maduro government. Since August, there has been a substantial naval presence off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has declared "the implementation of external threat" and directed all national defense measures to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "reject this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not immediately addressed requests for clarification regarding the events.