Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Reports emerged of numerous explosions and the roar of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The situation has sparked allegations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for global intervention.
Venezuela Blames United States of Attack
Venezuela's socialist administration has accused the US of what it calls "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the Latin American nation. In an public statement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had hit the capital and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and minerals," the statement declared.
Caracas urged the global community to condemn the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that placed numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Hit
Residents reported feeling at least multiple detonations around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in different districts allegedly hurried into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the area," commented one witness.
Plumes of smoke was observed pouring from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Maduro is believed to live.
International Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate defense protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These reported strikes follow a months-long campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan government. Since August, authorities reported a substantial naval buildup off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defence protocols to be initiated. It has also urged its citizens to protest and "repudiate this external attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the events.
