Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous detonations and the noise of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This incident has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for international intervention.
Caracas Blames US of Military Action
Venezuela's incumbent administration has blamed the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump allegedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an public announcement, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's key assets, in particular its crude oil and minerals," the government declared.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to censure the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that put numerous of civilians in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Residents described experiencing approximately seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. Citizens in various districts reportedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We heard explosions and aircraft in the area," stated one resident.
Black smoke was reported pouring from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, wrote on social media that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would activate security measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
The alleged attacks follow a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, there has been a substantial US military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defence measures to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to mobilize and "repudiate this imperialist act."
The White House and the Defense Department did not promptly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the allegations.
