Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Reports surfaced of several blasts and the sound of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This incident has prompted accusations from Venezuela's government and calls for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Military Action
The socialist regime has blamed the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the South American state. In an public declaration, the government confirmed that attacks had impacted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the government asserted.
The government urged the world to denounce the actions, which it labeled a "blatant breach of global law" that put numerous of lives in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Targeted
Locals described hearing at least multiple explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in various districts allegedly hurried into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the distance," stated one resident.
Smoke was seen pouring from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
International Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on X that "At this moment they are striking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate security measures at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
The alleged attacks are preceded by a extended pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro regime. Beginning in August, there has been a major US military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on boats linked to drug trafficking.
The government has declared "the implementation of emergency" and directed all national defense measures to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign act."
The White House and the US Department of Defense did not publicly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
