Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Accounts surfaced of numerous detonations and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This situation has sparked claims from Venezuela's government and calls for global action.
Venezuela Accuses US of Attack
The authoritarian regime has accused the United States of committing "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the South American state. In an official announcement, the government confirmed that strikes had impacted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
The government appealed to the global community to denounce the actions, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international norms" that put countless of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted
Residents described feeling roughly multiple explosions around 2 a.m. local time. People in various areas allegedly hurried into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," said one witness.
Plumes of smoke was observed billowing from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.
Global Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, said it would initiate defense plans at its border with its neighbor.
Context
These reported strikes are preceded by a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats accused of illegal activities.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and directed all national defence measures to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist attack."
The White House and the Defense Department did not publicly commented on inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
