Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Reports surfaced of several explosions and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The situation has prompted claims from the Venezuelan authorities and requests for international intervention.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Military Action
The incumbent administration has condemned the US of an act of "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the South American state. In an formal announcement, the authorities stated that attacks had targeted the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this aggression is to take control of our nation's key assets, notably its petroleum and resources," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the global community to condemn the strikes, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered countless of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Military Bases Targeted
Locals described experiencing roughly multiple powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in several areas allegedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," said one resident.
Smoke was reported billowing from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.
Regional Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, said it would activate security plans at its border with Venezuela.
Background
These alleged attacks are preceded by a months-long campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, authorities reported a major American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking.
The government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defense measures to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this foreign aggression."
American officials and the Pentagon did not publicly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
