Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. This incident has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and demands for global action.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Military Action
The incumbent administration has blamed the United States of an act of "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump allegedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an formal announcement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had hit Caracas and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's key assets, notably its crude oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.
Venezuelan officials called on the international community to condemn the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that placed numerous of lives at risk in danger.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing at least several powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. People in different areas allegedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard blasts and planes in the sky," said one witness.
Black smoke was reported billowing from two army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Global Response
The president of bordering Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He called for an immediate emergency session of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate defense protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The reported attacks are preceded by a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence measures to be implemented. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "reject this foreign act."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not promptly responded to requests for a statement regarding the events.
