Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts surfaced of numerous explosions and the noise of low-flying jets in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. The incident has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan government and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Accuses US of Aggression
The authoritarian administration has accused the United States of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American state. In an official statement, the government stated that attacks had hit the capital and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," Venezuela declared.
The government urged the international community to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed countless of lives in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Locals spoke of experiencing approximately several detonations around 2 a.m. local time. People in several areas reportedly hurried into the streets.
"The earth trembled. It was frightening. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the area," said one resident.
Black smoke was observed pouring from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.
Global Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He called for an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, announced it would activate defense measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported attacks are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro government. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.
The administration has declared "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defence plans to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "denounce this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not publicly addressed inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.