Blasts and Low-Altitude Planes Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Reports circulated of multiple blasts and the noise of low-flying jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This incident has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for international intervention.
Venezuela Condemns US of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian government has condemned the US of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump reportedly authorized attacks against the South American nation. In an public declaration, the government asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to take control of our nation's key assets, notably its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela said.
Caracas urged the international community to denounce the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that put millions of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses described experiencing at least multiple powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in different districts reportedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is frightening. We heard blasts and aircraft in the area," said one witness.
Smoke was seen rising from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on social media that "Currently they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would activate operational measures at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
The reported strikes come after a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan government. Since August, there has been a major American military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defence measures to be initiated. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not promptly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the events.
