Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Accounts circulated of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This incident has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's incumbent administration has blamed the US of what it calls "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the Latin American country. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that attacks had impacted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government said.
Caracas called on the international community to condemn the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that placed numerous of civilians in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses described hearing roughly multiple explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. Citizens in various areas allegedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We heard blasts and planes in the distance," said one local.
Smoke was seen rising from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, stated on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He called for an swift emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate defense plans at its shared border with its neighbor.
Context
These reported attacks come after a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Since August, authorities reported a significant US military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
The government has stated "a state of emergency" and commanded all defense measures to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "reject this external aggression."
American officials and the US Department of Defense have not publicly responded to requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
