Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas

Accounts emerged of numerous explosions and the noise of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. This event has sparked claims from Venezuela's government and calls for global scrutiny.

Caracas Blames US of Military Action

The socialist regime has blamed the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump reportedly directed military strikes against the South American state. In an official announcement, the government asserted that strikes had hit Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.

"Our only objective of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its oil and resources," the statement asserted.

The government called on the international community to condemn the operations, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed millions of lives in danger.

Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Hit

Eyewitnesses described feeling at least multiple explosions around the middle of the night local time. Residents in several areas reportedly hurried into the open.

"Everything shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," commented one local.

Plumes of smoke was observed rising from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Maduro is thought to live.

Global Response

The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He called for an swift emergency session of the UN Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate security plans at its shared border with its neighbor.

Context

The alleged attacks follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Since August, there has been a substantial American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities.

The administration has stated "a state of external disturbance" and directed all defense measures to be initiated. It has also called on its political forces to protest and "repudiate this imperialist act."

The White House and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the events.