Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Accounts emerged of numerous blasts and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. This event has led to accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for global scrutiny.
Caracas Blames Washington of Aggression
The incumbent regime has blamed the US of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the Latin American country. In an official announcement, the government asserted that attacks had hit the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, notably its oil and mineral wealth," the government declared.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to condemn the strikes, which it described a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered millions of lives in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Military Installations Hit
Residents spoke of hearing approximately multiple detonations around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in several areas reportedly ran into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the area," said one witness.
Smoke was observed billowing from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Maduro is believed to live.
Global Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate security protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
These reported attacks come after a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, authorities reported a substantial naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
The government has announced "a state of external disturbance" and directed all defense measures to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this external attack."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not publicly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
