Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Accounts emerged of multiple blasts and the sound of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. The situation has led to allegations from Venezuela's government and calls for diplomatic action.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent administration has blamed the US of an act of "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump supposedly directed strikes against the Latin American nation. In an official announcement, the authorities stated that strikes had targeted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its petroleum and minerals," the government asserted.
The government appealed to the international community to denounce the actions, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed millions of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Residents reported feeling approximately seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in various districts reportedly rushed into the open.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We experienced explosions and jets in the distance," commented one witness.
Smoke was seen billowing from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
International Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate operational measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
These alleged strikes come after a months-long pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
The government has declared "a state of external disturbance" and directed all national defence measures to be initiated. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "reject this foreign aggression."
The White House and the US Department of Defense did not publicly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the events.
