Explosions and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Accounts surfaced of several detonations and the noise of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The incident has sparked allegations from Venezuela's government and demands for international intervention.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian government has accused the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the Latin American nation. In an formal announcement, the government confirmed that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, notably its oil and minerals," the statement said.
Caracas appealed to the world to condemn the actions, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that put millions of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Sites Hit
Locals spoke of hearing approximately multiple detonations around 2:00 AM local time. Citizens in several neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We heard explosions and aircraft in the distance," stated one witness.
Plumes of smoke was observed pouring from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
International Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, said it would initiate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
These reported strikes are preceded by a extended pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, authorities reported a major American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on boats suspected of illegal activities.
The administration has declared "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all national defence plans to be implemented. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external act."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not publicly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
