Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Reports circulated of multiple detonations and the noise of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. This situation has prompted claims from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for global intervention.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist government has condemned the Washington of what it calls "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the Latin American state. In an formal declaration, the government asserted that attacks had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's key assets, in particular its oil and resources," Venezuela asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the international community to censure the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that placed numerous of civilians in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Residents reported experiencing roughly seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. People in several districts reportedly rushed into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We experienced blasts and planes in the distance," said one resident.
Plumes of smoke was seen rising from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on X that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational measures at its border with Venezuela.
Background
These alleged strikes are preceded by a prolonged campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Since last summer, there has been a major American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking.
The administration has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all defense measures to be initiated. It has also called on its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign attack."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not promptly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.