Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Accounts surfaced of multiple explosions and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. The incident has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan government and calls for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has blamed the US of committing "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump allegedly directed attacks against the Latin American nation. In an formal statement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had hit the capital and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and resources," Venezuela said.
Caracas urged the global community to condemn the actions, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that endangered numerous of lives in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit
Residents spoke of hearing at least seven explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in different areas reportedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the sky," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Maduro is believed to reside.
International Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He requested an immediate meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate security measures at its border with Venezuela.
Context
These alleged attacks come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a significant US military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of emergency" and ordered all national defence plans to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this foreign aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department did not promptly addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
