Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of several explosions and the roar of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This incident has sparked claims from the Venezuelan government and demands for global intervention.
Venezuela Blames United States of Aggression
The authoritarian administration has condemned the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the Latin American country. In an official announcement, the authorities asserted that attacks had hit Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the statement declared.
Venezuelan officials called on the international community to denounce the actions, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered numerous of civilians in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Locals reported experiencing at least seven explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in various districts allegedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and jets in the distance," commented one local.
Smoke was seen billowing from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
Regional Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate defense plans at its border with its neighbor.
Context
These alleged strikes follow a prolonged military buildup by the US against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defence plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external aggression."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not immediately responded to inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.