Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Reports circulated of numerous detonations and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of the weekend. The event has led to allegations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for global scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump reportedly directed strikes against the South American state. In an formal announcement, the authorities stated that attacks had impacted Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the world to denounce the operations, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that placed countless of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Residents reported experiencing approximately multiple detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in various areas allegedly hurried into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the sky," stated one witness.
Black smoke was reported billowing from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Reaction
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, stated it would activate operational plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged attacks come after a extended pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities.
Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defence plans to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this foreign attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not immediately responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
