Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of several blasts and the sound of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. The incident has sparked claims from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for international action.
Venezuela Accuses United States of Military Action
The incumbent regime has condemned the US of committing "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump reportedly directed military strikes against the South American state. In an official statement, the authorities stated that attacks had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its oil and minerals," the government said.
Caracas urged the world to censure the strikes, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that put numerous of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Residents described feeling approximately several powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in different districts allegedly hurried into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from two army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He called for an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would initiate security plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The reported attacks come after a months-long pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has declared "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all defense measures to be initiated. It has also called on its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign act."
American officials and the Defense Department have not publicly responded to requests for clarification regarding the reports.
