🔗 Share this article

Witness testimonies surfaced of several blasts and the sound of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. The situation has sparked accusations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for global intervention.

Caracas Accuses Washington of Military Action

The authoritarian administration has condemned the Washington of an act of "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly authorized attacks against the Latin American nation. In an official announcement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had impacted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"The only objective of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.

Caracas called on the world to denounce the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that put millions of lives at risk in jeopardy.

Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted

Locals spoke of experiencing approximately multiple detonations around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in various neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the open.

"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We heard blasts and jets in the area," said one local.

Black smoke was seen billowing from two army bases in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.

Global Reaction

The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "Currently they are striking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, said it would activate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.

Context

The alleged attacks follow a months-long military buildup by the US against the Maduro government. Since last summer, there has been a major American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels linked to drug trafficking.

Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of external threat" and directed all defense protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to mobilize and "denounce this imperialist act."

American officials and the US Department of Defense did not immediately responded to requests for clarification regarding the events.