Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The incident has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for diplomatic scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent government has blamed the US of committing "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly directed strikes against the South American state. In an public announcement, the authorities asserted that attacks had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its oil and resources," the government asserted.
The government appealed to the global community to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that put numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Targeted
Residents reported feeling roughly several explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Citizens in various neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the distance," said one resident.
Black smoke was seen rising from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
Regional Condemnation
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an immediate meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, stated it would activate operational protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These reported attacks follow a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, there has been a substantial naval buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of emergency" and directed all national defence measures to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to protest and "reject this foreign act."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not immediately responded to inquiries for comment regarding the events.
