Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Accounts circulated of multiple detonations and the roar of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The situation has led to allegations from Venezuela's government and calls for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames US of Military Action
The authoritarian government has blamed the US of committing "imperial aggression," stating that former President Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American state. In an public statement, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government said.
Caracas urged the international community to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international law" that put numerous of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Bases Hit
Locals described feeling roughly multiple detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in different districts reportedly rushed into the streets.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the distance," stated one resident.
Smoke was reported pouring from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
Global Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "At this moment they are striking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an swift emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, said it would activate security protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
The reported attacks come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, there has been a substantial naval presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
The government has declared "a state of external threat" and ordered all national defence protocols to be initiated. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "reject this imperialist aggression."
American officials and the Pentagon did not publicly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
