Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of multiple detonations and the sound of low-flying jets in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This incident has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for international action.
Venezuela Blames US of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian government has condemned the United States of committing "imperial aggression," stating that former President Trump allegedly authorized strikes against the South American state. In an formal declaration, the government stated that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, notably its crude oil and minerals," the statement said.
The government called on the international community to condemn the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that put millions of civilians in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Residents spoke of feeling at least several explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in several areas reportedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," said one local.
Black smoke was observed rising from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
International Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He called for an swift meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would activate operational protocols at its border with Venezuela.
Background
The reported strikes are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in August, there has been a significant American military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on boats accused of drug trafficking.
The government has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all defense measures to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "reject this foreign aggression."
American officials and the US Department of Defense have not immediately responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
