Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Reports circulated of numerous blasts and the sound of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This incident has led to allegations from the Venezuelan government and calls for global action.
Caracas Accuses United States of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent administration has accused the United States of committing "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly ordered military strikes against the South American country. In an official announcement, the government stated that strikes had hit Caracas and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, notably its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to censure the actions, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international law" that placed countless of civilians in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Locals reported hearing approximately multiple explosions around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in various neighborhoods allegedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We heard blasts and planes in the sky," said one witness.
Smoke was seen billowing from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on social media that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an immediate emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, said it would initiate operational measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes come after a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro government. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels linked to drug trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defence plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its supporters to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not promptly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
