Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Accounts surfaced of multiple detonations and the noise of low-flying jets in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. This event has sparked accusations from Venezuela's leadership and calls for international action.
Caracas Blames US of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has condemned the US of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an formal declaration, the government confirmed that attacks had impacted Caracas and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement said.
The government appealed to the international community to denounce the actions, which it described a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Residents spoke of experiencing roughly seven powerful blasts around the middle of the night local time. Residents in several districts allegedly ran into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," stated one local.
Plumes of smoke was seen billowing from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
Global Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, said it would activate operational measures at its border with its neighbor.
Background
The reported attacks follow a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro government. Beginning in August, there has been a significant naval deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on boats accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense plans to be initiated. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "denounce this external act."
The White House and the US Department of Defense did not publicly addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.