Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Reports circulated of numerous detonations and the roar of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The incident has prompted allegations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for global intervention.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Attack
Venezuela's socialist government has blamed the United States of committing "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the South American state. In an formal statement, the authorities asserted that attacks had impacted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the government said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to condemn the actions, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that endangered countless of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Hit
Locals described feeling approximately several explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Citizens in various neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the sky," said one local.
Black smoke was seen pouring from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.
International Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate defense protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Context
The reported attacks are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial US military buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on boats linked to drug trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of emergency" and directed all national defence plans to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to take to the streets and "reject this foreign attack."
American officials and the US Department of Defense have not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the events.
