Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Reports emerged of numerous detonations and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The situation has sparked allegations from Venezuela's government and demands for global scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses United States of Attack
The incumbent regime has blamed the Washington of what it calls "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Trump allegedly directed strikes against the Latin American state. In an public statement, the government confirmed that attacks had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and minerals," the government said.
Caracas called on the global community to censure the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that put countless of lives in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Targeted
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing approximately multiple detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in various districts reportedly rushed into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We experienced explosions and planes in the sky," said one resident.
Plumes of smoke was observed rising from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would initiate security measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged strikes come after a prolonged campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Since August, there has been a significant American military buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its political forces to take to the streets and "reject this foreign act."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to requests for a statement regarding the reports.
