Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Reports surfaced of multiple blasts and the roar of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. This event has sparked accusations from Venezuela's government and demands for diplomatic action.
Caracas Accuses United States of Attack
Venezuela's socialist government has accused the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the South American country. In an formal statement, the authorities stated that strikes had impacted the capital and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its oil and resources," the government said.
Caracas called on the international community to censure the actions, which it termed a "clear infringement of global law" that put numerous of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Locals described hearing at least multiple explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in several areas allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," commented one witness.
Smoke was reported rising from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
International Response
The president of bordering Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate security plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
The alleged attacks come after a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro government. Since August, authorities reported a substantial US military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on vessels linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "a state of external disturbance" and directed all defense protocols to be activated. It has also summoned its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this imperialist attack."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not promptly commented on requests for comment regarding the reports.
