Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of multiple explosions and the noise of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. This event has prompted accusations from Venezuela's government and calls for diplomatic action.
Caracas Blames United States of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist administration has condemned the United States of committing "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Trump allegedly authorized military strikes against the South American country. In an formal declaration, the government stated that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela asserted.
The government appealed to the global community to condemn the actions, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international law" that placed millions of lives at risk in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Residents spoke of experiencing approximately seven detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. People in different neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the distance," stated one resident.
Plumes of smoke was observed billowing from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.
Regional Reaction
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an immediate meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, announced it would activate security plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
The alleged strikes are preceded by a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, there has been a significant American military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on ships suspected of illegal activities.
Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all defense protocols to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to take to the streets and "denounce this external aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not promptly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.
