Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The event has prompted allegations from Venezuela's leadership and demands for diplomatic action.
Caracas Blames US of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist regime has blamed the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump supposedly directed strikes against the Latin American country. In an public statement, the government asserted that strikes had targeted the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's key assets, especially its oil and mineral wealth," the statement said.
The government urged the international community to denounce the actions, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that placed countless of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses described feeling approximately multiple explosions around the middle of the night local time. Residents in various areas allegedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We heard explosions and planes in the distance," stated one resident.
Smoke was observed rising from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Global Response
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are striking Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He called for an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate defense protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These reported attacks come after a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a major naval presence off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
The government has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defence measures to be activated. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "reject this foreign attack."
The White House and the Pentagon did not promptly addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the allegations.
