Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of several explosions and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. This situation has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan authorities and requests for global action.
Caracas Accuses US of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist government has condemned the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Trump supposedly ordered strikes against the South American country. In an public announcement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government asserted.
The government urged the world to condemn the actions, which it labeled a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered countless of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Bases Targeted
Locals spoke of hearing roughly several detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in various districts allegedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is frightening. We heard blasts and planes in the area," said one local.
Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Maduro is thought to reside.
Global Response
The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on X that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate operational measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
The reported attacks follow a prolonged pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro government. Since August, there has been a major American military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of emergency" and ordered all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this imperialist act."
American officials and the Pentagon did not immediately commented on requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
