Detonations and Low-Flying Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Reports emerged of multiple blasts and the noise of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. The situation has sparked claims from Venezuela's leadership and requests for global scrutiny.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist administration has blamed the US of committing "foreign aggression," stating that former President Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the South American country. In an formal statement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had targeted Caracas and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this attack is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and minerals," Venezuela asserted.
Caracas called on the global community to condemn the operations, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that placed millions of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted
Residents reported feeling approximately multiple detonations around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in different areas allegedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We heard explosions and aircraft in the sky," commented one witness.
Smoke was observed pouring from two army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
Global Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational protocols at its shared border with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged attacks are preceded by a months-long pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a major American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on ships accused of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has declared "the implementation of emergency" and directed all defense plans to be implemented. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this external act."
American officials and the Defense Department did not immediately commented on requests for a statement regarding the reports.
