Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of several detonations and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This incident has prompted claims from the Venezuelan government and calls for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian administration has blamed the United States of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the South American country. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its crude oil and resources," Venezuela asserted.
Caracas urged the international community to censure the strikes, which it labeled a "clear infringement of global law" that placed numerous of lives in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Locals reported hearing at least multiple powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in different areas allegedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and planes in the distance," stated one witness.
Black smoke was seen rising from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Regional Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "At this moment they are striking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, said it would activate defense measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
The alleged attacks follow a prolonged military buildup by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a significant American military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on ships suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and directed all national defense measures to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "denounce this external aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not publicly addressed requests for comment regarding the events.
