Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of several detonations and the roar of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. This situation has sparked claims from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for diplomatic intervention.
Venezuela Accuses US of Military Action
The incumbent government has accused the US of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an official statement, the government confirmed that attacks had targeted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the government said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to condemn the operations, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed numerous of lives in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Hit
Eyewitnesses reported feeling at least seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in various neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," stated one local.
Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Maduro is thought to live.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on X that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the UNSC, stated it would activate operational protocols at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These alleged strikes are preceded by a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, there has been a significant US military buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense measures to be initiated. It has also urged its citizens to take to the streets and "reject this foreign aggression."
American officials and the Pentagon have not promptly responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
