Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of several detonations and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. This incident has sparked claims from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for global scrutiny.
Caracas Blames United States of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist administration has blamed the US of what it calls "imperial aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the Latin American country. In an formal declaration, the authorities stated that strikes had targeted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and resources," the government asserted.
Caracas called on the global community to condemn the actions, which it termed a "clear infringement of international law" that put countless of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted
Locals described experiencing at least seven detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in different districts allegedly ran into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We heard blasts and aircraft in the sky," stated one witness.
Black smoke was observed rising from two army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Maduro is thought to live.
Global Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He requested an swift meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate security measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged strikes come after a extended pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a major American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
The administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and directed all national defense plans to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to mobilize and "denounce this foreign act."
American officials and the Pentagon did not publicly commented on inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.
