Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of multiple explosions and the sound of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This situation has prompted claims from the Venezuelan government and demands for global scrutiny.
Venezuela Condemns US of Aggression
The authoritarian government has condemned the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump supposedly directed strikes against the South American nation. In an formal declaration, the government stated that attacks had impacted the capital and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its oil and resources," Venezuela said.
The government called on the global community to denounce the actions, which it termed a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed numerous of lives in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses described experiencing approximately seven detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in different areas reportedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and jets in the distance," commented one local.
Black smoke was reported billowing from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Maduro is reported to reside.
International Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an swift emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, announced it would activate security plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro government. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial naval presence off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on ships linked to illegal activities.
The administration has announced "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defence measures to be activated. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign attack."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not promptly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the events.
