Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This event has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and demands for global action.
Venezuela Blames United States of Military Action
The authoritarian regime has blamed the United States of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the Latin American state. In an formal declaration, the government stated that attacks had hit the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's key assets, notably its petroleum and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.
Caracas urged the global community to condemn the strikes, which it termed a "clear infringement of international law" that put numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Locals spoke of hearing roughly seven explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in different neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We experienced explosions and jets in the area," said one witness.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Global Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, stated on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, stated it would activate security plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These alleged attacks follow a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on ships suspected of narco-trafficking.
The government has stated "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defense measures to be activated. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "reject this external attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not publicly addressed requests for a statement regarding the events.
