Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of numerous blasts and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. The incident has led to accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for international intervention.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent government has condemned the US of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly authorized attacks against the South American nation. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that attacks had hit the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, notably its oil and minerals," the statement declared.
The government urged the world to censure the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of global law" that put countless of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Military Sites Hit
Residents reported feeling roughly seven explosions around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in several neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and jets in the distance," stated one witness.
Smoke was observed pouring from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
Regional Response
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would initiate defense plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
The reported strikes follow a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, there has been a significant American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of external disturbance" and commanded all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign attack."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not publicly responded to requests for a statement regarding the events.
