Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This incident has sparked allegations from Venezuela's government and requests for international action.
Caracas Blames US of Attack
Venezuela's socialist regime has accused the United States of an act of "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump allegedly directed attacks against the South American state. In an public statement, the government asserted that attacks had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the government asserted.
Caracas appealed to the global community to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that placed numerous of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit
Residents described feeling roughly multiple detonations around 2 a.m. local time. People in different areas reportedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and aircraft in the area," said one resident.
Smoke was observed pouring from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Global Response
The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate operational measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged attacks follow a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a major US military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on ships suspected of narco-trafficking.
The government has announced "the implementation of emergency" and directed all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this foreign act."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not promptly commented on requests for comment regarding the events.
