Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Accounts circulated of multiple detonations and the noise of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The event has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for diplomatic scrutiny.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist government has condemned the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Trump allegedly authorized strikes against the South American state. In an formal statement, the government confirmed that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's key assets, notably its oil and mineral wealth," the government asserted.
Caracas called on the international community to censure the strikes, which it termed a "clear infringement of international law" that put millions of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Locals reported feeling roughly multiple explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in various areas reportedly ran into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," commented one local.
Black smoke was reported billowing from two defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Regional Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate operational plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These alleged strikes are preceded by a months-long pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of air strikes on boats suspected of illegal activities.
The administration has stated "a state of emergency" and directed all national defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "repudiate this imperialist attack."
The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately addressed requests for a statement regarding the events.
