Explosions and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of several detonations and the noise of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The situation has led to allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for global action.
Venezuela Accuses US of Aggression
The incumbent regime has accused the US of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly ordered military strikes against the South American nation. In an official announcement, the government stated that attacks had hit Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government said.
The government appealed to the world to censure the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that placed numerous of lives in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Military Bases Hit
Residents reported hearing approximately seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. People in different areas reportedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We heard blasts and planes in the distance," commented one witness.
Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, stated on X that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate operational protocols at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These reported attacks follow a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro government. Since August, authorities reported a significant US military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of strikes on boats accused of narco-trafficking.
The administration has stated "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense measures to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "reject this imperialist act."
The White House and the Pentagon did not promptly addressed requests for clarification regarding the events.