Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of multiple explosions and the noise of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. The event has sparked allegations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Venezuela Blames United States of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian government has accused the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump reportedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American country. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and minerals," the government declared.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international norms" that put countless of lives at risk in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Residents described feeling approximately multiple explosions around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in several areas allegedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," stated one local.
Plumes of smoke was observed rising from two army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
Global Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He called for an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, announced it would activate defense measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported attacks come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro government. Since last summer, there has been a significant naval presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "a state of emergency" and ordered all national defense protocols to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to protest and "denounce this imperialist act."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not immediately commented on requests for a statement regarding the events.
