Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports circulated of several blasts and the sound of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. The event has led to accusations from Venezuela's authorities and requests for diplomatic action.
Caracas Accuses US of Attack
The authoritarian administration has accused the United States of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the South American state. In an public declaration, the authorities stated that strikes had impacted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its oil and minerals," the government said.
Caracas appealed to the world to censure the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that put countless of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Residents reported feeling approximately several explosions around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in various neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," stated one witness.
Plumes of smoke was observed billowing from two defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Maduro is thought to live.
International Response
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "Currently they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an immediate emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate operational plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
These reported strikes come after a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a major US military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels linked to illegal activities.
Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of emergency" and directed all national defence plans to be initiated. It has also called on its citizens to take to the streets and "reject this external aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to requests for a statement regarding the reports.
