Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Accounts circulated of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. This event has sparked allegations from Venezuela's government and requests for global scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses US of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent administration has blamed the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Trump allegedly authorized attacks against the Latin American country. In an official announcement, the government asserted that strikes had targeted Caracas and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement declared.
The government appealed to the world to condemn the operations, which it termed a "clear infringement of international law" that placed countless of civilians in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Residents reported feeling at least multiple detonations around 2:00 AM local time. People in different neighborhoods allegedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," said one witness.
Black smoke was seen rising from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Global Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on social media that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate operational measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged attacks come after a prolonged campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a significant American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking.
The government has declared "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defence measures to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to protest and "denounce this foreign attack."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not immediately responded to inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.
