Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of several blasts and the noise of low-flying planes in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This incident has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and calls for international action.
Caracas Condemns United States of Attack
Venezuela's socialist government has blamed the United States of what it calls "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump reportedly directed strikes against the South American state. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that attacks had impacted the capital and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its petroleum and minerals," the government declared.
Venezuelan officials urged the global community to condemn the strikes, which it termed a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered millions of lives in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Locals reported hearing approximately seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in several neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," stated one resident.
Smoke was reported rising from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
Global Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would activate security plans at its border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes follow a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro government. Since August, authorities reported a substantial naval presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on ships accused of illegal activities.
The government has stated "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "reject this foreign attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly addressed requests for a statement regarding the reports.