Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts circulated of numerous blasts and the roar of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The situation has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and calls for international action.
Caracas Blames Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist regime has condemned the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the South American country. In an formal announcement, the government confirmed that attacks had targeted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to take control of our nation's natural resources, especially its petroleum and minerals," the government said.
The government called on the international community to censure the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that placed countless of civilians in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of feeling at least seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in different districts reportedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We heard explosions and planes in the area," said one witness.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate defense plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
These reported strikes are preceded by a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a significant US military buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities.
The government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and directed all defense protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "reject this foreign aggression."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not promptly commented on requests for comment regarding the reports.
