Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Accounts circulated of numerous blasts and the noise of low-flying jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. The incident has prompted claims from the Venezuelan government and demands for international intervention.
Caracas Accuses US of Military Action
The socialist administration has accused the US of an act of "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the government asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, notably its oil and resources," the government asserted.
Caracas called on the world to denounce the actions, which it labeled a "clear infringement of global law" that put numerous of lives in danger.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted
Locals spoke of experiencing at least multiple explosions around 2 a.m. local time. People in several districts allegedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the sky," commented one witness.
Plumes of smoke was observed billowing from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "Right now they are striking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He called for an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate defense plans at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged attacks are preceded by a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats accused of narco-trafficking.
The government has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also urged its citizens to protest and "repudiate this foreign aggression."
The White House and the Pentagon have not immediately addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
