Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts circulated of numerous blasts and the roar of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. The situation has sparked claims from Venezuela's leadership and requests for global action.
Caracas Blames United States of Attack
The authoritarian regime has accused the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly directed strikes against the South American country. In an official announcement, the government asserted that attacks had targeted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
The government urged the international community to denounce the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that endangered millions of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses described feeling at least several explosions around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in various districts reportedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard blasts and aircraft in the area," stated one resident.
Black smoke was reported billowing from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
Global Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "Currently they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate operational protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The alleged attacks are preceded by a prolonged campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a major US military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on vessels linked to illegal activities.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
American officials and the Pentagon did not promptly commented on requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
