Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of numerous explosions and the roar of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's leadership and demands for global action.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Attack
The socialist government has condemned the US of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the South American country. In an public declaration, the authorities asserted that attacks had hit the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government declared.
The government urged the global community to censure the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of global law" that put countless of civilians in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted
Locals spoke of experiencing approximately multiple detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in various neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard blasts and aircraft in the distance," commented one witness.
Smoke was reported billowing from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
International Response
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would activate operational protocols at its shared border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes are preceded by a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, there has been a significant American military presence off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on ships accused of narco-trafficking.
The administration has stated "a state of emergency" and directed all national defence measures to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to take to the streets and "repudiate this external aggression."
American officials and the US Department of Defense have not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the events.
