Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Accounts surfaced of numerous detonations and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This incident has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for global action.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Military Action
The incumbent regime has accused the US of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump reportedly directed military strikes against the South American country. In an public statement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of this attack is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the government declared.
Venezuelan officials called on the world to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international norms" that endangered millions of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses described hearing approximately multiple powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in several areas allegedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard blasts and planes in the area," commented one local.
Plumes of smoke was seen pouring from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Maduro is thought to live.
International Reaction
The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on social media that "Currently they are striking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an swift emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate defense measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The reported attacks are preceded by a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of emergency" and ordered all national defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its supporters to take to the streets and "reject this foreign attack."
American officials and the Pentagon did not immediately responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
