Blasts and Low-Altitude Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports circulated of numerous explosions and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This incident has led to claims from the Venezuelan government and demands for diplomatic action.
Caracas Condemns US of Aggression
The authoritarian regime has blamed the US of committing "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the Latin American country. In an public declaration, the authorities confirmed that strikes had targeted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement declared.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to censure the actions, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed numerous of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing roughly several explosions around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in various neighborhoods allegedly ran into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the area," commented one resident.
Black smoke was observed pouring from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
International Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, said it would activate defense measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The reported strikes come after a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on ships suspected of illegal activities.
The government has announced "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to protest and "reject this external attack."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not promptly commented on requests for clarification regarding the events.
