Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Reports emerged of numerous detonations and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This event has sparked claims from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for global action.
Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist government has blamed the United States of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the Latin American state. In an official statement, the authorities stated that attacks had hit the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela declared.
Caracas appealed to the world to censure the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that endangered millions of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit
Eyewitnesses described feeling approximately multiple explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in different areas allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and planes in the area," stated one resident.
Plumes of smoke was observed rising from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
Global Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an swift meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate security protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
The alleged attacks follow a extended pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
The government has stated "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defence measures to be initiated. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "repudiate this foreign act."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
