Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Accounts surfaced of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The incident has prompted accusations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for international action.
Caracas Accuses United States of Attack
Venezuela's socialist administration has condemned the United States of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the South American nation. In an official statement, the government stated that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and resources," the government said.
The government urged the international community to denounce the actions, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international law" that put numerous of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Targeted
Locals reported experiencing at least multiple detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in several areas allegedly hurried into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the sky," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was reported rising from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
Regional Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate security protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These alleged strikes follow a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial naval presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on boats linked to illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defence protocols to be initiated. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "reject this foreign attack."
American officials and the Pentagon did not promptly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the reports.
