Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Reports circulated of numerous blasts and the sound of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. The event has prompted claims from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Accuses United States of Attack
The authoritarian administration has accused the US of committing "foreign aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized military strikes against the South American nation. In an official declaration, the government confirmed that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's key assets, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement said.
Venezuelan officials urged the world to denounce the strikes, which it described a "blatant breach of international law" that endangered countless of lives in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Locals reported hearing at least several explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in various areas allegedly ran into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard blasts and aircraft in the sky," stated one local.
Black smoke was observed pouring from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on social media that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He requested an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These alleged attacks come after a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro government. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant American military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "a state of external threat" and directed all national defence measures to be implemented. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to requests for comment regarding the reports.
