Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of several detonations and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. The situation has led to allegations from Venezuela's government and requests for global action.
Caracas Condemns United States of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist regime has blamed the United States of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the South American state. In an formal statement, the government asserted that strikes had hit Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's key assets, especially its petroleum and resources," the statement asserted.
The government called on the global community to denounce the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that put millions of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses described experiencing roughly several explosions around 2 a.m. local time. People in different areas reportedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the distance," said one local.
Smoke was reported billowing from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Maduro is thought to live.
Global Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate security measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Context
These alleged attacks follow a extended pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a major American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on boats accused of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of emergency" and directed all national defence measures to be implemented. It has also summoned its political forces to protest and "repudiate this external act."
American officials and the Defense Department have not publicly commented on requests for comment regarding the allegations.
