Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of several explosions and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. The incident has prompted accusations from Venezuela's government and requests for global action.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Aggression
The authoritarian administration has accused the United States of what it calls "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump reportedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an public statement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the government asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the world to censure the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that placed countless of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Eyewitnesses described feeling approximately seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in several neighborhoods reportedly ran into the open.
"Everything shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and planes in the area," commented one resident.
Black smoke was reported pouring from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Maduro is reported to live.
Regional Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, announced it would activate security measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
These reported strikes are preceded by a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, authorities reported a significant naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking.
The government has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all defense protocols to be implemented. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this external aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department did not promptly commented on inquiries for comment regarding the reports.
