Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous blasts and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. The situation has prompted claims from Venezuela's leadership and requests for international intervention.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Military Action
The authoritarian government has condemned the Washington of committing "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the South American state. In an public statement, the authorities asserted that attacks had hit the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and minerals," the government declared.
Caracas appealed to the world to censure the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed millions of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing roughly several explosions around 2:00 AM local time. People in various districts allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We heard explosions and jets in the area," commented one resident.
Smoke was seen pouring from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
International Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, said it would activate security plans at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
These reported strikes follow a extended pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro government. Since last summer, authorities reported a major American military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all national defense measures to be activated. It has also urged its supporters to mobilize and "denounce this foreign act."
American officials and the Pentagon did not promptly commented on requests for clarification regarding the events.
