Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of several blasts and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The incident has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for international action.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Aggression
The socialist government has condemned the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the Latin American state. In an public declaration, the authorities confirmed that attacks had targeted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to condemn the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that placed numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Military Sites Targeted
Locals reported experiencing at least multiple detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in various neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. It was frightening. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," said one resident.
Smoke was observed pouring from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
Global Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an swift emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate defense protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
These reported strikes follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, authorities reported a substantial naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence measures to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "denounce this external act."
The White House and the Pentagon have not publicly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the reports.
