Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Accounts surfaced of multiple explosions and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The situation has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for international scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns US of Attack
The socialist regime has accused the United States of committing "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly directed attacks against the Latin American state. In an official statement, the authorities stated that attacks had hit Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to take control of our nation's key assets, in particular its oil and resources," the government said.
Caracas appealed to the global community to censure the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered countless of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses reported feeling roughly several detonations around the middle of the night local time. People in different districts reportedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We heard blasts and aircraft in the sky," commented one resident.
Black smoke was reported billowing from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate security protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes follow a extended military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in August, there has been a major naval presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of air strikes on boats linked to illegal activities.
The government has stated "the implementation of external threat" and directed all defense plans to be activated. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this imperialist aggression."
The White House and the US Department of Defense did not immediately responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
