Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of several detonations and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This situation has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and demands for global intervention.
Caracas Condemns US of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist government has accused the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the South American country. In an official announcement, the government stated that attacks had targeted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's key assets, especially its oil and minerals," Venezuela asserted.
The government urged the world to condemn the operations, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that put millions of lives in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Locals reported feeling roughly seven detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in various districts reportedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and jets in the area," commented one witness.
Black smoke was seen rising from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, stated it would initiate security protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes follow a extended pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a major US military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.
The administration has stated "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defense measures to be activated. It has also summoned its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this imperialist aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
