Explosions and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Accounts circulated of multiple detonations and the sound of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. The incident has sparked allegations from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist government has blamed the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American country. In an official announcement, the government asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this aggression is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, notably its crude oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the world to condemn the operations, which it termed a "clear infringement of global law" that placed countless of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Military Sites Hit
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing roughly multiple detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in different areas reportedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the area," stated one witness.
Smoke was seen rising from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Maduro is reported to live.
Regional Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on X that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate defense plans at its border with Venezuela.
Context
These alleged strikes come after a prolonged campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Since August, authorities reported a significant US military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defence protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "repudiate this external aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department did not immediately addressed requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
