Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This situation has led to allegations from Venezuela's leadership and demands for international action.
Venezuela Accuses US of Attack
The authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the Latin American state. In an formal statement, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its crude oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
Caracas appealed to the world to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed millions of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Targeted
Locals described feeling roughly multiple explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. People in various neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the distance," stated one local.
Smoke was observed pouring from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Maduro is believed to live.
Global Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate operational plans at its shared border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes come after a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro government. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial American military buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all defense plans to be initiated. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "denounce this foreign act."
The White House and the Defense Department have not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.