Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Reports circulated of multiple detonations and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. This incident has led to accusations from Venezuela's leadership and demands for international intervention.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Military Action
The authoritarian administration has accused the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," stating that former President Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the South American state. In an public statement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had hit the capital and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of this attack is to gain control of our nation's key assets, notably its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
Caracas appealed to the international community to denounce the operations, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international law" that put millions of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Installations Targeted
Residents described experiencing at least seven explosions around the middle of the night local time. People in several districts reportedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," stated one local.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from two defense sites in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
Regional Response
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He called for an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate defense measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported attacks come after a extended military buildup by the United States against the Maduro government. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial US military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats linked to narco-trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defense measures to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign aggression."
American officials and the Pentagon have not promptly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.
