Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous blasts and the roar of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This situation has sparked allegations from Venezuela's government and requests for global intervention.
Caracas Condemns US of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian administration has blamed the US of committing "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the Latin American state. In an formal statement, the government confirmed that strikes had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its oil and minerals," Venezuela said.
The government called on the global community to denounce the actions, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international norms" that put countless of civilians in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Residents described hearing approximately multiple powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in several districts allegedly ran into the open.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and planes in the sky," commented one local.
Black smoke was reported pouring from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
International Reaction
The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate operational protocols at its border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes come after a prolonged campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial American military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
The administration has stated "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defence protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this foreign attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly commented on requests for clarification regarding the events.
