Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous explosions and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This situation has sparked claims from the Venezuelan government and demands for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Accuses United States of Attack
The authoritarian government has accused the US of an act of "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the South American nation. In an public announcement, the government asserted that attacks had hit the capital and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its oil and resources," the statement declared.
Caracas appealed to the international community to condemn the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that endangered countless of lives at risk in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted
Locals reported experiencing at least seven explosions around the middle of the night local time. Residents in different neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and planes in the distance," commented one local.
Plumes of smoke was reported rising from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, announced it would activate security measures at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes follow a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military buildup off the country's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defense measures to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to protest and "repudiate this foreign attack."
The White House and the US Department of Defense did not promptly commented on requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
