Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies surfaced of several detonations and the sound of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. The situation has led to allegations from Venezuela's government and requests for international scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Aggression
The incumbent government has accused the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump supposedly directed strikes against the South American nation. In an public declaration, the government stated that strikes had impacted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and resources," the government said.
Caracas urged the global community to censure the strikes, which it termed a "clear infringement of global law" that put numerous of lives in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Bases Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing at least seven explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in several districts reportedly hurried into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and planes in the distance," stated one witness.
Smoke was observed pouring from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Maduro is reported to reside.
International Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, said it would initiate defense measures at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes come after a extended military buildup by the US against the Maduro government. Since last summer, there has been a substantial naval buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on vessels linked to illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has declared "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all defense measures to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign aggression."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not promptly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
