Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports emerged of multiple blasts and the roar of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The event has sparked allegations from Venezuela's leadership and calls for international intervention.
Venezuela Blames United States of Military Action
The incumbent government has blamed the US of what it calls "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the South American country. In an public statement, the government asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its crude oil and minerals," the statement declared.
The government urged the international community to denounce the strikes, which it described a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing approximately several detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in different districts allegedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We heard blasts and planes in the distance," said one local.
Smoke was reported pouring from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
International Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would activate defense measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These alleged attacks follow a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Since August, authorities reported a substantial US military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on ships accused of narco-trafficking.
The administration has stated "the implementation of external threat" and directed all defense measures to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this external aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
