Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Reports circulated of several explosions and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The situation has prompted accusations from Venezuela's leadership and demands for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames United States of Aggression
The authoritarian administration has blamed the United States of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump reportedly directed strikes against the Latin American country. In an public announcement, the government stated that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its crude oil and minerals," Venezuela asserted.
Caracas appealed to the global community to condemn the operations, which it termed a "blatant breach of global law" that placed numerous of lives in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Locals described feeling at least seven detonations around 2:00 AM local time. Citizens in different neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. This is terrifying. We experienced explosions and planes in the distance," commented one resident.
Black smoke was reported rising from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
International Reaction
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate defense plans at its border with Venezuela.
Background
The reported strikes follow a extended military buildup by the United States against the Maduro administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on vessels linked to illegal activities.
The government has declared "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all national defence measures to be initiated. It has also called on its citizens to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not promptly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.