Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous explosions and the sound of low-flying jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This event has prompted claims from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for international action.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Military Action
The authoritarian regime has condemned the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly authorized attacks against the Latin American country. In an public statement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had hit the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of this attack is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
Caracas urged the world to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of global law" that endangered numerous of lives at risk in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit
Eyewitnesses described feeling at least seven explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in different neighborhoods allegedly ran into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and jets in the distance," stated one local.
Plumes of smoke was seen billowing from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on social media that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an urgent emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, said it would initiate defense measures at its frontier with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged attacks come after a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Since August, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels linked to drug trafficking.
The government has announced "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defence plans to be activated. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "reject this foreign attack."
The White House and the Pentagon did not publicly responded to requests for clarification regarding the events.
