Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Accounts circulated of several blasts and the roar of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The event has prompted claims from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian government has condemned the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly directed attacks against the South American state. In an public declaration, the authorities stated that strikes had impacted the capital and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," the government declared.
The government called on the international community to condemn the operations, which it termed a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered countless of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing at least multiple explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. People in different neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard blasts and aircraft in the distance," said one resident.
Smoke was observed billowing from two army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Global Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an swift meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate defense plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
The alleged strikes follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in August, there has been a major naval deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all defense measures to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign act."
American officials and the US Department of Defense have not immediately responded to requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
