Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Reports circulated of multiple explosions and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. This event has sparked allegations from Venezuela's authorities and demands for international intervention.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Military Action
The authoritarian administration has condemned the US of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the Latin American country. In an public statement, the authorities stated that strikes had hit the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this aggression is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," the government asserted.
Caracas called on the international community to denounce the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses described hearing approximately seven explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in several neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We heard explosions and planes in the distance," commented one witness.
Black smoke was observed billowing from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
International Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would activate security measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a significant American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on ships suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defence measures to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to protest and "reject this imperialist attack."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not immediately responded to requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
