Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Reports surfaced of several explosions and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. This event has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has blamed the United States of what it calls "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the South American state. In an formal announcement, the government stated that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, notably its oil and resources," the statement asserted.
The government appealed to the international community to censure the strikes, which it termed a "clear infringement of international law" that put countless of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Locals spoke of feeling roughly multiple explosions around the middle of the night local time. People in various neighborhoods allegedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We experienced explosions and planes in the sky," stated one local.
Plumes of smoke was observed billowing from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Maduro is reported to live.
International Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are striking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an immediate emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, stated it would initiate defense plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These reported strikes follow a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial naval deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "a state of external threat" and directed all national defence protocols to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this imperialist act."
American officials and the Pentagon did not promptly responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
