Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Accounts surfaced of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This incident has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for global intervention.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Aggression
The authoritarian administration has blamed the US of committing "foreign aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the South American state. In an official declaration, the government asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement declared.
The government appealed to the global community to condemn the operations, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed millions of civilians in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Targeted
Residents described experiencing roughly several detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in different districts allegedly ran into the open.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," said one resident.
Plumes of smoke was reported rising from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, said it would activate security plans at its border with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged strikes are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant naval buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.
The administration has announced "a state of emergency" and ordered all national defense measures to be initiated. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "reject this foreign aggression."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not promptly commented on inquiries for a statement regarding the events.
