Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Reports emerged of several detonations and the noise of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This incident has led to accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for diplomatic action.
Caracas Condemns United States of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent regime has accused the United States of committing "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the Latin American nation. In an official statement, the government asserted that attacks had hit the capital and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
Caracas called on the world to censure the operations, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed countless of civilians in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Targeted
Residents reported feeling roughly multiple detonations around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in several districts allegedly ran into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the sky," said one witness.
Smoke was reported pouring from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "Right now they are striking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate operational plans at its border with Venezuela.
Context
The reported attacks come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a major naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on vessels accused of illegal activities.
The administration has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and directed all national defence protocols to be activated. It has also summoned its citizens to take to the streets and "reject this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not publicly commented on requests for a statement regarding the reports.