Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Reports circulated of numerous blasts and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. The situation has sparked claims from Venezuela's authorities and demands for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian government has condemned the US of committing "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly authorized strikes against the Latin American country. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that attacks had impacted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and resources," the government declared.
Caracas called on the international community to denounce the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered numerous of lives in danger.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing approximately multiple explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in several areas reportedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and jets in the distance," said one resident.
Smoke was observed pouring from two army bases in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Regional Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would activate operational protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These reported strikes follow a months-long military buildup by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a significant naval deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on boats accused of illegal activities.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defence protocols to be activated. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "reject this imperialist aggression."
The White House and the Pentagon have not promptly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the events.
