Blasts and Low-Altitude Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of several blasts and the roar of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. The incident has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan government and demands for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Blames Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent administration has condemned the United States of what it calls "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the South American country. In an formal statement, the government asserted that attacks had hit the capital and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, notably its petroleum and resources," Venezuela said.
Caracas urged the world to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international norms" that put countless of lives in danger.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Installations Targeted
Residents spoke of hearing approximately multiple detonations around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in several neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We experienced blasts and jets in the area," commented one local.
Plumes of smoke was observed pouring from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Maduro is believed to live.
Global Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate security plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged strikes follow a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Since August, authorities reported a significant US military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on ships linked to illegal activities.
Venezuela's government has declared "a state of external threat" and directed all national defense plans to be activated. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign attack."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not immediately commented on requests for comment regarding the allegations.