Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts circulated of numerous blasts and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. This event has sparked claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international intervention.
Caracas Accuses US of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent regime has condemned the United States of committing "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Trump supposedly authorized strikes against the South American state. In an formal statement, the government asserted that attacks had impacted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, notably its oil and minerals," Venezuela declared.
Venezuelan officials urged the international community to censure the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered numerous of civilians in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Bases Targeted
Residents reported feeling roughly several detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in several neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the streets.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard blasts and aircraft in the distance," said one local.
Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Regional Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an immediate meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, stated it would activate defense measures at its border with Venezuela.
Background
These reported strikes come after a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a major US military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on ships suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and directed all national defense measures to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "repudiate this imperialist attack."
American officials and the Defense Department did not immediately responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the events.
