Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of several detonations and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The situation has led to accusations from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international intervention.
Caracas Accuses United States of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian administration has condemned the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly directed strikes against the Latin American country. In an official announcement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement said.
The government called on the world to censure the actions, which it described a "blatant breach of international law" that endangered numerous of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing approximately multiple detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in various areas allegedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," said one local.
Smoke was observed rising from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Maduro is believed to have a residence.
International Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He requested an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate operational plans at its border with Venezuela.
Background
The reported attacks come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a significant American military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on ships accused of narco-trafficking.
The administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all defense protocols to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "repudiate this external attack."
The White House and the Defense Department did not immediately commented on inquiries for comment regarding the events.
