Foreign Media: Venezuela: Explosions Reported in the Capital, President Condemns U.S. "Military Aggression," National Emergency Declared

Venezuela's capital Caracas experienced thick smoke and loud explosion sounds at 2 a.m. local time on the 3rd, according to AFP reporters, who noted that the sound of what seemed to be an aircraft flying overhead could be heard. Venezuela condemned this as an "extremely serious military aggression" and President Nicolas Maduro declared a national emergency.

According to Reuters, witnesses reported that on Saturday morning, there were sounds of airplanes and loud noises in Caracas, along with a plume of smoke. The southern part of the capital (an area where an important military base is located) experienced a power outage.

The cause and specific location of the incident remain unclear. Videos circulating on social media show explosions in several areas of Caracas. Reuters has not been able to verify the authenticity of these videos.

President Trump had repeatedly promised to launch ground military operations in Venezuela. According to Reuters, although Trump did not publicly detail his objectives, he had been privately pressuring Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down. On Monday, Trump stated that Maduro's resignation was "a wise move."

According to U.S. media reports, the U.S. military launched a series of air strikes on Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, on Saturday morning. CBS News and Fox News cited unnamed officials from the Trump administration to confirm the military action.

The White House and Pentagon have not yet commented on the explosion or the reports of planes flying over the capital of Venezuela.

According to a message posted by CBS reporter Jennifer Jacob on X, the Trump administration was aware of the explosion in Caracas.

Reuters reported that the United States has significantly increased its military presence in the region, including an aircraft carrier, multiple warships, and advanced fighter jets deployed in the Caribbean Sea. Trump announced a "blockade" on Venezuela's oil, expanded sanctions, and conducted more than 20 strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking in the Pacific and Caribbean.

Last week, Trump claimed that the United States had "struck" a drug trafficking area in Venezuela, which was the first known ground operation in Venezuela since the pressure campaign began. He did not specify whether these strikes were carried out by the CIA. Media reports suggest that the agency should be responsible.

Trump accused Venezuela of dumping drugs into the United States, and his government has been bombing ships suspected of carrying drugs from South America for months.

Many countries have condemned these attacks as extrajudicial executions, while the Nicolas Maduro government has consistently denied involvement in drug trafficking.

According to Associated Press, after the explosions in Caracas, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration prohibited U.S. commercial flights from flying over Venezuelan airspace due to "ongoing military activity."

"Condemn and Strongly Oppose"

Venezuelan authorities stated on Saturday: "Venezuela rejects, condemns, and strongly opposes the extremely serious military aggression launched by the United States against Venezuela's territory and people, including civilian and military areas in Caracas and its surrounding Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states."

The statement emphasized: "This aggression threatens international peace and stability and seriously endangers the lives of millions."

The statement pointed out: "The purpose of this attack is to attempt to destroy Venezuela's political independence through force to seize its strategic resources, especially oil and mineral resources."

The statement also called on the government to "initiate a mobilization plan to resist this imperialist aggression."

President Nicolas Maduro signed and ordered the implementation of the decree declaring the country to be in a state of emergency in strict accordance with the Constitution.

The statement concluded: "The entire population must unite to overcome this imperialist aggression."

Columbian President Gustavo Petro condemned the "missile" attack that occurred in Caracas on Saturday. This president, who has close ties with Maduro, called on the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations to immediately hold meetings to determine whether this "aggression" against a neighboring country conforms to international law.

Source: rfi

U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Escalate

Original: toutiao.com/article/1853284984631369/

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