Explosions and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Accounts circulated of several detonations and the roar of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. This situation has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for global scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has condemned the United States of committing "foreign aggression," stating that former President Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American country. In an official declaration, the government confirmed that strikes had impacted the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this attack is to gain control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and resources," the government asserted.
The government urged the international community to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that endangered millions of lives at risk in danger.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Residents reported feeling roughly seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in different areas reportedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the distance," commented one resident.
Black smoke was observed pouring from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
International Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "Right now they are striking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would initiate security protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
These reported attacks are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in last summer, there has been a significant US military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels linked to illegal activities.
The administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defense protocols to be activated. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign attack."
American officials and the US Department of Defense have not immediately addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.
