Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports surfaced of numerous detonations and the roar of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. This event has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Condemns US of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist regime has accused the United States of what it calls "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the South American nation. In an public statement, the government asserted that strikes had hit the capital and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to censure the actions, which it termed a "clear infringement of international norms" that put millions of lives at risk in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Military Bases Hit
Locals reported feeling roughly several detonations around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in various areas reportedly ran into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the area," stated one witness.
Smoke was reported rising from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Maduro is believed to live.
Global Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are striking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would initiate security plans at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged attacks are preceded by a extended military buildup by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since August, there has been a major naval deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
The government has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all national defense protocols to be initiated. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "reject this imperialist aggression."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not publicly responded to requests for a statement regarding the reports.
