Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Accounts emerged of several explosions and the sound of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's leadership and calls for diplomatic scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames United States of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist regime has condemned the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly authorized strikes against the South American state. In an official statement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had impacted the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to take control of our nation's key assets, especially its crude oil and resources," Venezuela declared.
Venezuelan officials called on the global community to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "clear infringement of international law" that endangered numerous of civilians in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Locals spoke of feeling roughly seven detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in several areas reportedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," stated one local.
Smoke was seen pouring from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on X that "Right now they are striking Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, stated it would activate security plans at its shared border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, authorities reported a significant US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of air strikes on vessels suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defence protocols to be activated. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not promptly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the events.
