Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Accounts emerged of numerous blasts and the sound of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The incident has led to claims from Venezuela's government and demands for global scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent regime has accused the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the South American country. In an public declaration, the authorities stated that strikes had hit the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, notably its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement said.
The government urged the global community to censure the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that put numerous of civilians in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses reported hearing roughly seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. People in several neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and planes in the distance," stated one local.
Black smoke was seen pouring from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Maduro is reported to reside.
Global Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He called for an urgent emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate operational protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
These reported strikes follow a months-long pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a major US military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defense protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "reject this imperialist attack."
The White House and the Pentagon did not promptly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
