Blasts and Low-Altitude Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports emerged of multiple detonations and the roar of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. The event has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan government and calls for diplomatic action.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent government has accused the US of an act of "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Trump reportedly directed military strikes against the South American nation. In an public declaration, the authorities stated that attacks had hit Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela declared.
The government called on the global community to condemn the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered millions of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses described hearing at least several explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in various districts reportedly hurried into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the distance," commented one local.
Smoke was reported billowing from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, stated on social media that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would initiate operational measures at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
These reported attacks follow a prolonged military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
The government has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and directed all national defence plans to be implemented. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist act."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not promptly commented on requests for comment regarding the allegations.
