Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Reports surfaced of numerous explosions and the noise of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. The incident has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan government and demands for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Accuses US of Aggression
The authoritarian regime has blamed the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the South American country. In an official announcement, the authorities stated that attacks had hit the capital and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its petroleum and resources," the government said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to censure the actions, which it termed a "clear infringement of global law" that endangered millions of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing at least several powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in different areas reportedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and jets in the area," said one local.
Plumes of smoke was seen rising from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Regional Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on X that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an swift emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate security plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
These alleged attacks are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a substantial naval buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels suspected of narco-trafficking.
The administration has stated "a state of emergency" and ordered all defense plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign aggression."
The White House and the Pentagon did not promptly addressed requests for comment regarding the reports.
