Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of several blasts and the sound of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The incident has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for global action.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Attack
Venezuela's socialist administration has blamed the US of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American country. In an public announcement, the government asserted that strikes had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, notably its petroleum and resources," the government said.
Venezuelan officials called on the global community to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "clear infringement of global law" that endangered countless of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Locals described feeling at least several powerful blasts around the middle of the night local time. Residents in different neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and planes in the distance," stated one witness.
Black smoke was observed rising from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Maduro is believed to live.
Global Response
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, said it would activate operational protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The reported strikes follow a months-long campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro government. Since last summer, there has been a significant US military buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all national defense protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
The White House and the Pentagon have not publicly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
