Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports emerged of multiple explosions and the sound of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. The incident has led to claims from Venezuela's leadership and requests for diplomatic action.
Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist administration has blamed the US of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that former President Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the government asserted that attacks had targeted the capital and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and resources," the statement said.
Caracas called on the world to condemn the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international law" that endangered millions of lives in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Sites Targeted
Locals spoke of hearing roughly several explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in several areas allegedly ran into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and planes in the sky," said one witness.
Smoke was seen billowing from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Maduro is reported to live.
International Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate security plans at its border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a major American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of external threat" and ordered all national defense measures to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not immediately addressed inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.
