Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of multiple detonations and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The incident has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for international intervention.
Caracas Accuses US of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist government has accused the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized attacks against the Latin American country. In an formal statement, the authorities asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this attack is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and mineral wealth," the statement declared.
Caracas appealed to the world to censure the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international law" that endangered numerous of lives at risk in danger.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Locals reported hearing approximately seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. Citizens in several neighborhoods allegedly ran into the open.
"The earth trembled. It was frightening. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," stated one witness.
Black smoke was reported pouring from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Regional Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an swift meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate security protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged attacks come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial American military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
The government has stated "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defence plans to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to protest and "denounce this foreign aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not publicly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the allegations.
