Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Reports circulated of multiple blasts and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This incident has sparked accusations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for international scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses United States of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has blamed the Washington of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly directed attacks against the Latin American state. In an public declaration, the government asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to denounce the actions, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that endangered millions of civilians in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Targeted
Residents spoke of experiencing roughly several powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. People in different areas allegedly ran into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and aircraft in the distance," said one resident.
Black smoke was observed billowing from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "At this moment they are striking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an swift meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would activate defense protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
These alleged strikes are preceded by a extended pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, there has been a major US military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of air strikes on boats linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of external threat" and commanded all defense measures to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "denounce this imperialist act."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not immediately commented on requests for comment regarding the reports.
