Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous detonations and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. The incident has prompted accusations from Venezuela's leadership and calls for global action.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Military Action
The authoritarian government has condemned the US of an act of "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the South American nation. In an official declaration, the government stated that strikes had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and minerals," the statement said.
Venezuelan officials urged the international community to censure the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that put countless of lives in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing at least multiple powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in various districts allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," said one resident.
Smoke was seen pouring from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Global Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, stated it would initiate security measures at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
These reported strikes come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, there has been a significant naval presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of external threat" and commanded all defense protocols to be activated. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this imperialist act."
The White House and the US Department of Defense did not immediately commented on requests for comment regarding the events.
