Explosions and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Accounts emerged of numerous blasts and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international scrutiny.
Caracas Blames US of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has accused the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the South American state. In an public statement, the authorities stated that attacks had impacted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's key assets, especially its crude oil and resources," the statement said.
The government called on the global community to censure the operations, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international law" that put numerous of lives in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Locals spoke of hearing approximately seven detonations around 2 a.m. local time. People in various districts allegedly rushed into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the sky," said one resident.
Smoke was observed billowing from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Regional Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He requested an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would activate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The reported strikes follow a prolonged military buildup by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, there has been a substantial American military buildup off the country's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships accused of illegal activities.
The administration has declared "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "denounce this external attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not publicly addressed requests for comment regarding the events.