Blasts and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous explosions and the sound of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. The incident has led to claims from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for global action.
Caracas Blames United States of Attack
The socialist administration has condemned the Washington of committing "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump reportedly authorized military strikes against the South American state. In an official announcement, the government asserted that attacks had targeted the capital and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this attack is to gain control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its crude oil and resources," the government said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to censure the actions, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that placed millions of civilians in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Locals described feeling roughly several explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in various districts allegedly rushed into the streets.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," said one local.
Black smoke was reported pouring from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
International Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational measures at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
These reported strikes are preceded by a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a significant American military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all national defence protocols to be initiated. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign attack."
US authorities and the Pentagon did not publicly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
