Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Reports surfaced of several detonations and the sound of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. The incident has sparked allegations from Venezuela's authorities and demands for diplomatic action.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Aggression
The incumbent administration has accused the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly directed attacks against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials called on the global community to condemn the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of global law" that placed countless of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Installations Targeted
Locals described experiencing approximately seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in various areas reportedly rushed into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," commented one resident.
Black smoke was seen rising from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Response
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an swift emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate operational plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
The reported strikes follow a months-long pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, there has been a major American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all defense protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to protest and "denounce this external attack."
American officials and the US Department of Defense have not publicly addressed requests for comment regarding the events.
