Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous blasts and the sound of low-flying planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. This incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's leadership and demands for global intervention.
Venezuela Blames United States of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has accused the United States of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump reportedly directed military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an official declaration, the government confirmed that attacks had impacted the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
Caracas called on the global community to condemn the actions, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international law" that placed countless of lives in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Eyewitnesses reported feeling approximately multiple explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in different districts reportedly ran into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the area," commented one resident.
Smoke was reported rising from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Regional Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate defense plans at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged strikes come after a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Maduro government. Beginning in August, authorities reported a significant naval buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships accused of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has declared "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "denounce this external attack."
The White House and the US Department of Defense did not publicly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the allegations.
