Blasts and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Reports circulated of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This incident has led to allegations from Venezuela's government and demands for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist government has condemned the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the South American state. In an public announcement, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, especially its crude oil and minerals," Venezuela declared.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international law" that placed numerous of lives in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Targeted
Locals reported feeling approximately seven detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in several neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We experienced explosions and jets in the sky," said one witness.
Smoke was seen billowing from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
International Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an swift meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate operational protocols at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
These reported attacks follow a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Since August, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defense protocols to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to mobilize and "repudiate this external attack."
American officials and the Pentagon have not promptly addressed requests for a statement regarding the events.
