Blasts and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of several explosions and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. The situation has sparked allegations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Venezuela Condemns US of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has accused the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump supposedly authorized strikes against the South American state. In an official declaration, the government stated that strikes had targeted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and resources," the government said.
Caracas appealed to the global community to censure the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that put millions of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Residents described hearing approximately several detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in different districts reportedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and jets in the distance," said one witness.
Smoke was reported pouring from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is believed to live.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an immediate meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These alleged strikes are preceded by a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, there has been a major American military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships accused of illegal activities.
Venezuela's government has announced "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its supporters to protest and "reject this foreign act."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not immediately commented on requests for comment regarding the events.
