🔗 Share this article

Witness testimonies emerged of several blasts and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The situation has sparked claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international intervention.

Venezuela Condemns US of Military Action

Venezuela's authoritarian administration has accused the United States of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump supposedly authorized strikes against the South American nation. In an formal statement, the authorities asserted that attacks had hit the capital and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.

"The only objective of these strikes is to take control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its petroleum and resources," the government said.

The government called on the international community to condemn the actions, which it termed a "clear infringement of international law" that placed numerous of lives in jeopardy.

Reports of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit

Locals spoke of experiencing approximately seven detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. People in various neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the streets outside.

"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and jets in the distance," stated one witness.

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

Global Response

The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would activate security plans at its frontier with Venezuela.

Context

These reported strikes follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, there has been a significant naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on ships linked to illegal activities.

The administration has stated "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defense measures to be activated. It has also called on its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this external act."

US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.