Detonations and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts surfaced of several detonations and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. The event has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for international action.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Attack
The incumbent administration has blamed the United States of an act of "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the Latin American state. In an official statement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had hit the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, notably its oil and resources," the government declared.
The government appealed to the global community to censure the operations, which it termed a "clear infringement of global law" that put countless of civilians in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit
Locals spoke of hearing approximately multiple explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in different districts allegedly ran into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and planes in the area," stated one resident.
Black smoke was reported rising from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.
International Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He called for an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate security plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These reported attacks come after a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a significant American military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all national defence measures to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to take to the streets and "reject this external aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department have not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
