Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Accounts circulated of numerous explosions and the sound of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This situation has prompted allegations from Venezuela's authorities and demands for global action.
Caracas Condemns US of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the South American nation. In an official announcement, the government confirmed that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this attack is to take control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its petroleum and minerals," the statement said.
The government urged the world to denounce the actions, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed numerous of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Hit
Locals described feeling approximately seven powerful blasts around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in several districts reportedly hurried into the streets.
"The earth trembled. It was frightening. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," commented one resident.
Smoke was observed pouring from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
Global Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the UNSC, stated it would initiate operational plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes follow a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Since August, there has been a major US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking.
The administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all defense measures to be initiated. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
American officials and the Pentagon did not promptly commented on requests for comment regarding the events.
