Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Reports surfaced of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. The event has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan government and requests for global intervention.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the Latin American nation. In an public statement, the government asserted that attacks had hit Caracas and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's key assets, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," the government said.
Caracas appealed to the world to censure the operations, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that endangered millions of civilians in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses described experiencing at least several powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. People in different districts allegedly rushed into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We experienced explosions and planes in the sky," commented one witness.
Black smoke was reported rising from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Global Reaction
The president of bordering Colombia, stated on a social platform that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency session of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, announced it would activate defense plans at its border with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged attacks come after a prolonged military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on ships linked to illegal activities.
The administration has stated "a state of emergency" and directed all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to mobilize and "denounce this foreign attack."
US authorities and the Pentagon did not publicly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the allegations.