Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Reports circulated of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. This event has led to claims from Venezuela's government and requests for international action.
Caracas Accuses United States of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist regime has condemned the Washington of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump allegedly authorized military strikes against the South American state. In an official announcement, the government asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, notably its oil and resources," the government declared.
Caracas appealed to the international community to censure the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that put millions of civilians in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses described experiencing at least multiple detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in different neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard blasts and planes in the sky," said one witness.
Smoke was reported billowing from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on social media that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an swift meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would activate operational plans at its border with Venezuela.
Background
The reported strikes are preceded by a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, authorities reported a significant American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
The government has announced "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all defense measures to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
American officials and the Defense Department did not promptly commented on inquiries for comment regarding the events.
