Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Reports surfaced of numerous explosions and the roar of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of the weekend. The event has sparked claims from Venezuela's authorities and demands for international action.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian government has accused the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the Latin American country. In an public statement, the government stated that strikes had impacted the capital and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the statement said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to denounce the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that placed countless of lives in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit
Locals described hearing roughly several powerful blasts around the middle of the night local time. Residents in several neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the open.
"Everything shook. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and planes in the area," stated one witness.
Smoke was seen rising from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Global Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on X that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He called for an urgent emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the UNSC, stated it would activate operational measures at its border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These reported attacks come after a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, there has been a significant American military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defence protocols to be activated. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this external attack."
The White House and the Pentagon have not immediately addressed requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
