Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports surfaced of several detonations and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This event has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan government and calls for diplomatic action.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian government has condemned the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the South American country. In an formal announcement, the authorities asserted that attacks had targeted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, notably its crude oil and minerals," the government declared.
Venezuelan officials called on the global community to censure the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that placed numerous of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Targeted
Residents spoke of hearing at least several detonations around the middle of the night local time. Residents in various areas allegedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We experienced explosions and jets in the distance," said one local.
Black smoke was observed rising from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Maduro is believed to live.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on X that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an immediate emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would initiate security protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
These alleged strikes follow a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on boats suspected of illegal activities.
The government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defense measures to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "reject this external aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department have not promptly commented on requests for comment regarding the reports.
