Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Reports circulated of numerous explosions and the sound of low-flying jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This event has led to accusations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for international intervention.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist government has accused the Washington of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump supposedly directed strikes against the South American nation. In an public statement, the government stated that strikes had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its oil and resources," Venezuela declared.
The government appealed to the world to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered millions of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit
Locals spoke of feeling roughly multiple explosions around 2:00 AM local time. People in several districts allegedly ran into the open.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the sky," stated one witness.
Black smoke was seen rising from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
Global Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "Currently they are striking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He called for an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would activate security measures at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
These alleged attacks are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, there has been a significant American military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.
The government has announced "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense plans to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this imperialist attack."
The White House and the Pentagon have not publicly addressed requests for comment regarding the reports.
