Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Accounts emerged of several explosions and the sound of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The event has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan government and calls for global intervention.
Caracas Accuses United States of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent administration has blamed the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly directed attacks against the South American country. In an formal announcement, the government confirmed that strikes had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its oil and minerals," Venezuela declared.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to condemn the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that put millions of civilians in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit
Residents described feeling roughly multiple explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in several neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and jets in the area," said one resident.
Plumes of smoke was observed pouring from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Global Response
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
These reported strikes come after a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all defense measures to be initiated. It has also urged its supporters to take to the streets and "reject this imperialist attack."
US authorities and the Pentagon did not immediately addressed requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
