Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Reports emerged of numerous blasts and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This situation has led to accusations from Venezuela's leadership and demands for global scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Military Action
The authoritarian administration has blamed the Washington of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that former President Trump reportedly ordered military strikes against the South American state. In an official statement, the government asserted that strikes had targeted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and resources," the statement asserted.
Caracas appealed to the global community to denounce the actions, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international law" that put countless of lives in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted
Residents described experiencing at least multiple explosions around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in various districts reportedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and aircraft in the area," stated one resident.
Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
International Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He called for an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate defense plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
These alleged strikes come after a extended campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial US military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external disturbance" and commanded all national defense plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its supporters to mobilize and "denounce this imperialist aggression."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not publicly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.