Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of several explosions and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The incident has led to claims from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for global action.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has blamed the United States of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the South American country. In an official announcement, the authorities stated that attacks had targeted the capital and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, notably its petroleum and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
Caracas called on the international community to censure the operations, which it termed a "clear infringement of international law" that put numerous of lives at risk in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Targeted
Locals reported feeling approximately several powerful blasts around the middle of the night in the morning. People in various districts reportedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," said one witness.
Black smoke was observed billowing from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
International Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an swift emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the UNSC, said it would initiate defense protocols at its border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant naval deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of air strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
The government has stated "a state of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence protocols to be activated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "denounce this foreign act."
American officials and the Pentagon have not promptly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the events.