Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of several detonations and the sound of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This event has sparked allegations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for global scrutiny.
Venezuela Accuses US of Attack
The socialist government has accused the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly directed attacks against the South American country. In an formal statement, the authorities stated that strikes had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of this attack is to gain control of our nation's key assets, notably its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government said.
The government called on the world to censure the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that put numerous of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit
Eyewitnesses described experiencing roughly multiple detonations around 2:00 AM local time. People in several neighborhoods reportedly ran into the open.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," commented one witness.
Black smoke was observed pouring from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
Regional Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "Right now they are striking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would activate operational protocols at its border with Venezuela.
Context
The reported attacks are preceded by a extended military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, authorities reported a significant US military buildup off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on vessels linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of external threat" and directed all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to protest and "repudiate this external attack."
American officials and the Pentagon did not promptly commented on requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
