Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous blasts and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. The incident has sparked accusations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for global scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses United States of Aggression
The incumbent regime has blamed the Washington of committing "imperial aggression," stating that former President Trump reportedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American country. In an formal statement, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, notably its crude oil and resources," the statement declared.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to condemn the operations, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses described hearing approximately seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in various districts allegedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and planes in the sky," said one resident.
Smoke was seen pouring from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Maduro is reported to live.
Global Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on X that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an swift emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would activate security measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged attacks follow a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a substantial naval deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "a state of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence measures to be implemented. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "denounce this imperialist aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department did not publicly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
