Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of multiple explosions and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. The event has prompted claims from Venezuela's leadership and demands for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Blames Washington of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has blamed the US of what it calls "imperial aggression," stating that former President Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the South American nation. In an formal announcement, the government asserted that attacks had impacted Caracas and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its crude oil and resources," the government asserted.
Caracas urged the world to condemn the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that put numerous of civilians in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Residents described experiencing roughly seven detonations around 2 a.m. local time. People in different districts allegedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the sky," said one local.
Smoke was observed pouring from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
Regional Response
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate operational plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
These alleged attacks come after a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, there has been a major American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on ships linked to illegal activities.
The government has announced "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all national defence plans to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to protest and "repudiate this external aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not publicly addressed requests for clarification regarding the events.
