Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts surfaced of several detonations and the roar of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of the weekend. The incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's government and requests for global action.
Venezuela Blames US of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent regime has condemned the Washington of an act of "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the Latin American country. In an official declaration, the government confirmed that attacks had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its oil and resources," the statement declared.
Caracas urged the international community to condemn the actions, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international norms" that endangered millions of lives at risk in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing roughly seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. Citizens in several areas allegedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," commented one witness.
Smoke was reported rising from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
Global Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on X that "Right now they are striking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would activate defense measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
These reported strikes come after a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a significant US military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all national defence protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to take to the streets and "repudiate this external attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not promptly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.
