Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports surfaced of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. This event has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and demands for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Condemns Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent regime has accused the US of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the South American nation. In an public statement, the government asserted that strikes had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the statement said.
Caracas called on the international community to condemn the actions, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that put countless of lives in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Hit
Eyewitnesses reported feeling approximately multiple detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in different neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard blasts and planes in the distance," said one resident.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader NicolĂĄs Maduro is reported to live.
Global Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate security protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The reported attacks follow a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, authorities reported a major American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on ships accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all national defense measures to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign act."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not publicly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
