Blasts and Low-Altitude Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Reports surfaced of several detonations and the roar of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. This incident has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan government and calls for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Condemns US of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist regime has accused the US of an act of "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the South American nation. In an official statement, the authorities stated that attacks had hit the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its oil and resources," Venezuela said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to censure the operations, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Locals reported feeling roughly seven detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. People in different areas allegedly rushed into the open.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the sky," stated one resident.
Black smoke was observed billowing from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
International Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would activate operational protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported attacks come after a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, authorities reported a significant naval buildup off the country's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
The administration has declared "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defence protocols to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to protest and "denounce this foreign aggression."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not immediately commented on inquiries for comment regarding the reports.
