Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Reports circulated of numerous blasts and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. The situation has sparked accusations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for global scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns US of Attack
The authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the Latin American nation. In an public announcement, the authorities asserted that attacks had impacted the capital and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The only objective of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's key assets, notably its petroleum and minerals," the government asserted.
Venezuelan officials called on the world to censure the operations, which it termed a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed numerous of lives in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Military Sites Targeted
Locals reported experiencing at least several detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. People in various neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the open.
"Everything shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and jets in the distance," stated one local.
Black smoke was observed billowing from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
International Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate operational measures at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in August, there has been a significant naval presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on boats linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "a state of external disturbance" and directed all national defense protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "reject this external aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department have not promptly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
