Blasts and Low-Altitude Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Reports surfaced of several blasts and the roar of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. This incident has prompted claims from Venezuela's government and requests for international intervention.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Military Action
The incumbent administration has blamed the United States of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Trump supposedly directed strikes against the Latin American nation. In an official statement, the government asserted that attacks had targeted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its petroleum and mineral wealth," the government declared.
Venezuelan officials urged the international community to censure the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that put countless of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted
Residents described hearing at least several powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in different districts allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard blasts and planes in the area," stated one witness.
Smoke was observed rising from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
Regional Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate security measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These reported strikes come after a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, there has been a substantial US military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all defense measures to be implemented. It has also summoned its citizens to take to the streets and "repudiate this external aggression."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not publicly addressed requests for clarification regarding the events.
