Explosions and Low-Altitude Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Reports surfaced of several detonations and the sound of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. The event has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Attack
The socialist government has blamed the US of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Trump supposedly ordered strikes against the Latin American state. In an official announcement, the authorities asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this attack is to take control of our nation's key assets, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to condemn the actions, which it described a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed numerous of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Residents described feeling roughly several powerful blasts around the middle of the night in the morning. People in several districts reportedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the sky," said one witness.
Black smoke was seen billowing from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
International Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an swift meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate operational plans at its shared border with its neighbor.
Context
The reported strikes come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major naval deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships accused of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external threat" and directed all national defence plans to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "reject this external attack."
The White House and the Pentagon have not immediately responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
