Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of several detonations and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This incident has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Attack
The socialist government has blamed the US of committing "imperial aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the Latin American state. In an formal declaration, the government confirmed that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, notably its petroleum and minerals," the government said.
Venezuelan officials called on the world to censure the operations, which it termed a "clear infringement of international norms" that endangered millions of civilians in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Locals spoke of hearing at least several detonations around 2 a.m. local time. People in various areas reportedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the area," said one resident.
Plumes of smoke was seen pouring from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Maduro is believed to live.
Global Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, said it would activate operational protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These reported attacks follow a extended military buildup by the United States against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major American military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on vessels suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all national defense protocols to be initiated. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external attack."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not immediately addressed requests for clarification regarding the allegations.
