Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports surfaced of several blasts and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The event has led to allegations from the Venezuelan government and demands for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Accuses US of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist regime has accused the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the South American nation. In an formal declaration, the government confirmed that strikes had targeted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, especially its crude oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
Caracas appealed to the world to denounce the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed numerous of lives in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Targeted
Residents spoke of experiencing roughly multiple detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in several neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," stated one witness.
Black smoke was observed billowing from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Maduro is thought to live.
Global Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would activate security measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged strikes come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on vessels accused of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defense protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "denounce this imperialist act."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not publicly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
