Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Accounts emerged of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This incident has sparked allegations from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international intervention.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Aggression
The incumbent administration has condemned the Washington of committing "imperial aggression," stating that former President Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the South American country. In an official announcement, the government stated that strikes had hit the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this attack is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
The government called on the global community to denounce the actions, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that put numerous of lives in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses described hearing approximately multiple detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in several neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and jets in the area," commented one local.
Plumes of smoke was seen rising from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He requested an swift emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate defense protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
The reported attacks follow a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Maduro administration. Since last summer, there has been a substantial US military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defence measures to be initiated. It has also urged its political forces to mobilize and "denounce this imperialist attack."
The White House and the Defense Department did not publicly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the events.