Detonations and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of several detonations and the sound of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This situation has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for global scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns United States of Aggression
The socialist administration has accused the Washington of what it calls "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Trump supposedly directed strikes against the South American nation. In an official announcement, the government asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
The government urged the international community to denounce the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that put millions of lives in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Sites Hit
Locals described experiencing at least several powerful blasts around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in several areas reportedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We experienced explosions and planes in the distance," said one witness.
Black smoke was seen billowing from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Maduro is thought to live.
Regional Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, stated on X that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He called for an immediate emergency session of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate security protocols at its border with Venezuela.
Context
The alleged strikes come after a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defense measures to be activated. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "reject this imperialist aggression."
American officials and the Defense Department have not promptly addressed inquiries for comment regarding the reports.