Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Accounts surfaced of several detonations and the noise of low-flying planes in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. This event has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for global intervention.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Aggression
The socialist administration has blamed the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly ordered strikes against the Latin American country. In an public announcement, the authorities asserted that strikes had hit Caracas and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and resources," Venezuela said.
Caracas appealed to the global community to condemn the operations, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered millions of lives at risk in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of feeling roughly seven explosions around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in different districts allegedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We heard blasts and planes in the sky," said one witness.
Plumes of smoke was observed pouring from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Maduro is thought to reside.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, stated it would initiate defense protocols at its border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes come after a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a major American military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
The government has announced "a state of external threat" and directed all defense plans to be initiated. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "reject this imperialist aggression."
The White House and the Pentagon have not publicly commented on requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
