Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Accounts emerged of multiple explosions and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. This event has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan government and requests for global action.
Caracas Accuses United States of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent government has accused the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the Latin American nation. In an formal announcement, the government confirmed that attacks had impacted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and resources," the government declared.
The government appealed to the world to censure the operations, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed millions of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Bases Targeted
Residents described experiencing at least multiple detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in several neighborhoods reportedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and jets in the area," stated one witness.
Plumes of smoke was observed billowing from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Maduro is believed to live.
Global Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on social media that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, stated it would activate defense plans at its shared border with its neighbor.
Context
These alleged attacks are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro regime. Beginning in August, authorities reported a major naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "denounce this external act."
American officials and the Defense Department did not immediately commented on requests for comment regarding the events.
