Venezuela accuses US after explosions and low-flying aircraft reported in Caracas – live | Venezuela
Venezuela accuses US of trying to ‘seize control’ of country’s resources
Tom Phillips
Venezuela’s authoritarian government has accused the US of risking plunging Latin America into chaos with an “extremely serious” act of “imperial aggression” after Donald Trump ordered an attack on the South American country.
Explosions, loud sounds and low-flying planes were heard in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, in the early hours of Saturday following reports that Trump had ordered the attack. In a statement, the Venezuelan government confirmed that Caracas, as well as three other states (Miranda, La Guaira and Aragua) were attacked.
“The sole purpose of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela’s strategic resources, especially its oil and minerals,” he said, calling on the international community to condemn this incident, which he described as a clear violation of international law that puts millions of lives at risk.
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Venezuela accuses US of trying to ‘seize control’ of country’s resources
Tom Phillips
Venezuela’s authoritarian government has accused the US of risking plunging Latin America into chaos with an “extremely serious” act of “imperial aggression” after Donald Trump ordered an attack on the South American country.
Explosions, loud sounds and low-flying planes were heard in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, in the early hours of Saturday following reports that Trump had ordered the attack. In a statement, the Venezuelan government confirmed that Caracas, as well as three other states (Miranda, La Guaira and Aragua) were attacked.
“The sole purpose of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela’s strategic resources, especially its oil and minerals,” he said, calling on the international community to condemn this incident, which he described as a clear violation of international law that puts millions of lives at risk.
Venezuela accuses US of attacks
Venezuela rejects US “military aggression”, President Nicolas Maduro’s government said in a statement early Saturday.
“People to the streets!” The statement said: “The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and reject this imperialist attack.”
The statement added that President Nicolás Maduro “ordered the implementation of all national defense plans” and declared a “state of external turmoil.”
We will bring you more when we cover this topic…
The Venezuelan government has now commented on the explosions, which it says were caused by attacks on the country.
In a statement made by Reuters, the government stated that the attacks took place in Caracas and the provinces of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
Tom Phillips
My colleague and Guardian Latin America correspondent Tom Phillips has more on the situation in Caracas:
Explosions, loud noises and low-flying planes have been heard in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, amid reports that Donald Trump has ordered an attack on the South American country.
Earlier on Saturday, Gustavo Petro, the president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on social media that Venezuela was under attack. In his letter to X, Petro called for an urgent meeting of the UN security council and said, “They are currently bombing Caracas… with missiles.”
Shortly after, CBS News reported that Trump had ordered the attacks, including on military installations.
According to the Associated Press, at least seven explosions were heard around 02:00 in the morning local time, and people in various neighborhoods ran to the streets.
“The whole place shook. It’s scary. We heard explosions and planes in the distance,” said 21-year-old office worker Carmen Hidalgo.
Witnesses reported seeing smoke billowing from two key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota military airport in the heart of the city and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where Venezuela’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro is long thought to have lived.
The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The explosions came after a while Five-month US pressure campaign against MaduroMany analysts believe it was designed to oust the Venezuelan leader. Since August, Donald Trump has ordered a massive military buildup off Venezuela’s northern coast and launched a series of deadly airstrikes on so-called “narco boats.”
The White House and Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday morning.
Colombian president calls emergency meeting of UN security council
The president of neighboring Colombia claims on social media that Venezuela is under attack.
Gustavo Petro wrote to
He added: “Colombia has been a member of the United Nations Security Council since yesterday and must meet immediately. Establish the international legality of the attack on Venezuela. PMU activated in Cúcuta and operational plan on the border.”
Explosions reported in Caracas
Hello, welcome to our live broadcast about the developing situation in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.
Witnesses reported hearing explosions and planes in Caracas early Saturday morning.
There is reportedly no electricity in the southern part of the city, near a large military base.
We will bring updates to you when we receive them.
