Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous explosions and the noise of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. The incident has led to allegations from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for international scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Aggression
The incumbent administration has blamed the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the Latin American nation. In an formal declaration, the government asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its oil and resources," the statement asserted.
Caracas appealed to the global community to censure the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international norms" that put countless of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Installations Targeted
Residents described experiencing approximately multiple explosions around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in several districts allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. It was frightening. We heard blasts and planes in the distance," commented one resident.
Smoke was seen pouring from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Maduro is believed to live.
Regional Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate defense measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
These reported attacks follow a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro government. Beginning in August, there has been a major US military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on ships accused of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defence plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its supporters to protest and "repudiate this foreign attack."
The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately commented on inquiries for comment regarding the reports.
