Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports emerged of numerous explosions and the sound of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This event has prompted claims from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for diplomatic action.
Caracas Condemns United States of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Trump allegedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the government stated that attacks had targeted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to take control of our nation's key assets, especially its oil and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to denounce the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Sites Hit
Locals reported hearing roughly seven explosions around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in different districts reportedly rushed into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and jets in the area," said one resident.
Plumes of smoke was seen billowing from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Maduro is thought to live.
Regional Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an swift meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, said it would activate security protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
These alleged strikes are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial American military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships accused of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all defense protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to mobilize and "reject this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not promptly addressed requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
