Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Accounts emerged of numerous detonations and the noise of low-flying jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The event has sparked claims from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for international action.
Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian government has accused the US of what it calls "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump allegedly authorized attacks against the Latin American country. In an formal statement, the government asserted that attacks had impacted the capital and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
Caracas appealed to the international community to condemn the actions, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that put millions of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing at least seven detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in various neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," stated one witness.
Black smoke was reported billowing from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
International Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate operational measures at its border with Venezuela.
Context
The reported strikes come after a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, there has been a significant American military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.
The government has declared "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defense plans to be initiated. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the Pentagon did not publicly addressed requests for comment regarding the allegations.
