Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts surfaced of multiple blasts and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. The incident has prompted claims from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist administration has condemned the Washington of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the Latin American state. In an official statement, the government asserted that attacks had hit the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its crude oil and resources," Venezuela asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the international community to censure the actions, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that put numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Bases Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing approximately several explosions around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in different neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," said one resident.
Smoke was seen pouring from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Maduro is reported to live.
Global Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate defense measures at its border with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged strikes are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial American military presence off the country's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all national defence plans to be initiated. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "reject this foreign attack."
The White House and the Defense Department have not publicly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
