Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Reports surfaced of multiple detonations and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. This situation has sparked accusations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Aggression
The authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump reportedly directed attacks against the Latin American state. In an official statement, the government confirmed that attacks had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its crude oil and resources," the government declared.
The government called on the world to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses described feeling approximately several explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. Citizens in several areas allegedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and jets in the area," said one witness.
Black smoke was seen rising from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate security measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged attacks are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan government. Since August, authorities reported a significant naval presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on boats linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all defense protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign attack."
American officials and the Pentagon did not immediately commented on requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
