Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of several explosions and the sound of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. The incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's government and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent administration has condemned the US of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly directed attacks against the South American state. In an official statement, the government stated that strikes had impacted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, notably its petroleum and resources," Venezuela declared.
The government appealed to the global community to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed numerous of lives in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted
Locals spoke of hearing approximately seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in different neighborhoods allegedly ran into the open.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," commented one local.
Smoke was observed billowing from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
Regional Response
The president of bordering Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational protocols at its border with Venezuela.
Context
The alleged strikes follow a months-long campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in August, there has been a significant American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on boats linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all national defense measures to be initiated. It has also called on its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this external act."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not publicly addressed inquiries for comment regarding the reports.
