Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Accounts emerged of numerous detonations and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This event has sparked claims from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for diplomatic action.
Venezuela Blames United States of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian administration has blamed the US of an act of "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly ordered strikes against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the government confirmed that attacks had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its crude oil and resources," Venezuela declared.
Caracas called on the global community to denounce the strikes, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that put millions of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Targeted
Residents reported feeling approximately seven detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in several districts allegedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and planes in the area," stated one resident.
Plumes of smoke was observed billowing from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.
Regional Reaction
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate operational protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The reported attacks are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a major naval presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.
The government has stated "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defence plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external act."
The White House and the US Department of Defense did not promptly responded to requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
