Blasts and Low-Altitude Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of multiple explosions and the sound of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. This incident has sparked accusations from Venezuela's government and requests for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Attack
The authoritarian regime has blamed the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump allegedly authorized attacks against the South American state. In an formal statement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
Caracas called on the international community to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered millions of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing approximately several powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. People in different districts allegedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," stated one local.
Smoke was reported pouring from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Maduro is thought to reside.
Regional Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He called for an urgent emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would activate security plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
These alleged attacks are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial US military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all defense measures to be initiated. It has also called on its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist act."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not promptly addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.
