Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of numerous detonations and the noise of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This event has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for diplomatic action.
Venezuela Blames United States of Aggression
The authoritarian regime has accused the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Trump allegedly authorized strikes against the South American state. In an public statement, the government asserted that strikes had targeted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the international community to condemn the actions, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that placed numerous of civilians in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Locals described experiencing at least several detonations around the middle of the night local time. People in different areas allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the sky," stated one witness.
Black smoke was seen pouring from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
International Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on X that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would activate operational plans at its shared border with its neighbor.
Context
The reported strikes come after a months-long military buildup by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels accused of illegal activities.
The government has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and directed all national defense measures to be activated. It has also called on its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign act."
The White House and the Pentagon did not publicly addressed requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
