Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of the weekend. The incident has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for diplomatic action.
Venezuela Accuses US of Attack
The authoritarian administration has accused the US of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an official statement, the government asserted that attacks had impacted Caracas and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," the statement said.
The government appealed to the global community to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that put millions of civilians in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted
Locals reported experiencing at least several explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in several neighborhoods allegedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the distance," commented one witness.
Black smoke was observed billowing from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
International Reaction
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate security plans at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These alleged attacks follow a months-long campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a major US military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense plans to be activated. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "reject this external act."
The White House and the Pentagon did not promptly commented on requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
