Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts emerged of multiple detonations and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This event has prompted claims from Venezuela's leadership and calls for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Blames Washington of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent regime has condemned the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly authorized military strikes against the South American state. In an formal announcement, the government confirmed that strikes had targeted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and resources," the statement asserted.
The government appealed to the global community to censure the operations, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that put numerous of lives in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing at least seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in various districts reportedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We experienced explosions and planes in the area," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was observed pouring from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
Global Response
The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are striking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, stated it would initiate defense protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes follow a prolonged military buildup by the US against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a significant naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels suspected of narco-trafficking.
The government has stated "a state of external disturbance" and directed all national defense measures to be implemented. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this external act."
American officials and the Pentagon did not publicly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
