Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Reports surfaced of several explosions and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's leadership and requests for global intervention.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Military Action
The authoritarian government has condemned the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an formal declaration, the authorities stated that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, notably its oil and resources," the government declared.
Caracas appealed to the world to condemn the operations, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that placed countless of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses described experiencing approximately several explosions around the middle of the night local time. People in various neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is terrifying. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," commented one local.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, stated it would initiate operational plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These alleged attacks come after a extended pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, there has been a substantial US military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.
The administration has announced "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign act."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not promptly addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the allegations.
