Detonations and Low-Altitude Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Reports circulated of multiple detonations and the roar of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. This event has prompted claims from Venezuela's leadership and requests for global intervention.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Attack
Venezuela's socialist government has condemned the Washington of what it calls "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the South American state. In an public statement, the government asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its oil and resources," Venezuela asserted.
The government called on the global community to condemn the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that put millions of civilians in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing at least several powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in various districts reportedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and planes in the distance," commented one local.
Smoke was reported pouring from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
Global Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He called for an swift meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate operational measures at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The reported attacks follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial naval buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of emergency" and directed all national defense measures to be implemented. It has also called on its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
American officials and the Defense Department have not promptly commented on inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.
