Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Reports surfaced of several explosions and the noise of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The incident has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for international intervention.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Military Action
The incumbent administration has condemned the US of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the South American country. In an formal declaration, the authorities asserted that strikes had targeted the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and resources," Venezuela said.
Caracas appealed to the world to denounce the strikes, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that put numerous of civilians in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Residents reported hearing roughly seven explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in several areas reportedly hurried into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," stated one local.
Plumes of smoke was seen billowing from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Maduro is thought to reside.
Global Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would activate defense measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
The alleged strikes follow a months-long campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Since August, there has been a major US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on boats accused of drug trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defense measures to be activated. It has also called on its citizens to take to the streets and "denounce this external aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department did not promptly commented on inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
