Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of several explosions and the noise of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. This situation has prompted claims from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Attack
Venezuela's socialist government has blamed the United States of what it calls "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an formal announcement, the government asserted that attacks had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and resources," the statement said.
The government called on the global community to censure the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international law" that endangered millions of civilians in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of feeling approximately several detonations around the middle of the night local time. People in different neighborhoods allegedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the distance," said one resident.
Smoke was reported rising from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Regional Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would activate defense protocols at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes follow a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Maduro administration. Since last summer, there has been a major naval presence off the country's northern coast and a number of air strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
The government has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this imperialist aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
