Blasts and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of multiple blasts and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. This event has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for global action.
Caracas Condemns United States of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist regime has condemned the US of committing "foreign aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the government asserted that strikes had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of this attack is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela declared.
Venezuelan officials urged the global community to censure the actions, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that put numerous of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit
Eyewitnesses reported hearing at least seven detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in several areas allegedly rushed into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the distance," stated one local.
Smoke was reported rising from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Maduro is reported to reside.
Regional Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate defense protocols at its border with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged strikes follow a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a substantial American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of air strikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of external threat" and directed all defense plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "denounce this external aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not immediately responded to requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
