Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. This incident has led to claims from Venezuela's leadership and requests for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns US of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist administration has accused the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly ordered strikes against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the government stated that strikes had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, notably its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
Caracas urged the international community to denounce the strikes, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered countless of civilians in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Residents described experiencing roughly seven explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Citizens in several neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We heard blasts and planes in the sky," commented one local.
Smoke was seen billowing from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is reported to reside.
Global Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate security plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
The reported attacks are preceded by a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro government. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major US military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of emergency" and ordered all national defense measures to be activated. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not publicly commented on requests for clarification regarding the reports.
