Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of several 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 claims from Venezuela's government and requests for international scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses United States of Military Action
The authoritarian government has accused the US of committing "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the South American nation. In an formal declaration, the authorities asserted that strikes had hit Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and minerals," the government asserted.
Caracas appealed to the world to censure the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that placed numerous of lives in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing roughly several powerful blasts around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in different neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and aircraft in the distance," commented one resident.
Smoke was observed rising from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
International Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an urgent emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would activate operational protocols at its border with Venezuela.
Background
The reported attacks come after a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, there has been a significant naval buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on ships accused of narco-trafficking.
The government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all defense measures to be initiated. It has also summoned its political forces to protest and "repudiate this external attack."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
