Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts emerged of multiple blasts and the sound of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. This incident has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for global intervention.
Caracas Condemns US of Aggression
The incumbent administration has accused the United States of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that former President Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the Latin American country. In an formal statement, the government stated that strikes had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's key assets, especially its petroleum and minerals," the statement said.
The government appealed to the global community to denounce the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that endangered countless of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Bases Hit
Locals reported experiencing at least multiple detonations around 2:00 AM local time. Citizens in several districts reportedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," stated one resident.
Smoke was observed rising from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Maduro is believed to reside.
International Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on X that "Currently they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate defense measures at its border with its neighbor.
Context
These reported attacks follow a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "a state of external threat" and commanded all defense protocols to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign act."
US authorities and the Pentagon did not immediately responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.
