Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports emerged of several explosions and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of the weekend. This event has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Attack
The socialist administration has condemned the United States of an act of "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the Latin American nation. In an official declaration, the authorities confirmed that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
Caracas appealed to the international community to denounce the operations, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered millions of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Locals spoke of feeling at least multiple detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in different districts allegedly rushed into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and jets in the area," said one witness.
Black smoke was reported billowing from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Global Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on social media that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an swift emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate defense protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
The reported strikes follow a months-long campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan government. Since August, there has been a substantial US military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of emergency" and ordered all national defense measures to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the Pentagon did not immediately commented on requests for comment regarding the allegations.
