Detonations and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of several detonations and the roar of low-flying jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This incident has sparked claims from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for diplomatic action.
Caracas Accuses US of Military Action
The authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of what it calls "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly ordered military strikes against the South American country. In an official statement, the government asserted that attacks had hit Caracas and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to gain control of our nation's key assets, especially its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the international community to condemn the operations, which it termed a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered millions of lives in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Targeted
Locals described feeling approximately multiple detonations around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in different neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the open.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the area," commented one resident.
Black smoke was seen rising from two army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
Regional Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He called for an swift emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would activate operational measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
These reported attacks follow a months-long campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan government. Since August, authorities reported a substantial US military buildup off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on boats linked to illegal activities.
The administration has announced "a state of external disturbance" and directed all national defense protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "reject this external aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not publicly responded to requests for a statement regarding the reports.
