Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous detonations and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. This event has sparked claims from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for international scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Military Action
The incumbent government has blamed the Washington of what it calls "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the South American country. In an public statement, the government confirmed that strikes had hit the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, notably its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela said.
Venezuelan officials called on the world to censure the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that placed millions of lives in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Installations Targeted
Residents spoke of hearing at least several powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. People in different neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," stated one local.
Black smoke was reported pouring from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
International Response
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "Right now they are striking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
These reported attacks come after a prolonged military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a significant American military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.
The government has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all defense measures to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department have not immediately responded to requests for clarification regarding the allegations.