Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. This event has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for global action.
Venezuela Accuses US of Aggression
The incumbent government has condemned the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly authorized attacks against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that strikes had targeted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
The government appealed to the international community to censure the actions, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international law" that put countless of lives in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Residents described experiencing approximately multiple explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in various areas allegedly rushed into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the distance," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was observed pouring from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Maduro is thought to reside.
Regional Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate defense measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged attacks are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a major US military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of external threat" and ordered all national defense protocols to be activated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "reject this external act."
American officials and the Defense Department did not promptly addressed requests for a statement regarding the reports.
