Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of several blasts and the roar of low-flying jets in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. This incident has led to claims from Venezuela's government and calls for international intervention.
Caracas Condemns United States of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent government has accused the US of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Trump supposedly authorized strikes against the Latin American nation. In an formal declaration, the government confirmed that attacks had impacted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, notably its oil and minerals," the government asserted.
The government urged the international community to denounce the strikes, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that put numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Bases Hit
Locals described experiencing at least multiple explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. People in different areas allegedly rushed into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is frightening. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," commented one resident.
Black smoke was seen billowing from two defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Maduro is believed to live.
International Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He requested an urgent emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, stated it would initiate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The reported strikes are preceded by a prolonged campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro government. Since last summer, authorities reported a major American military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of emergency" and directed all national defence plans to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this external act."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not promptly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the events.