Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of multiple blasts and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. The situation has sparked claims from Venezuela's leadership and demands for global intervention.
Venezuela Condemns US of Military Action
The incumbent administration has condemned the Washington of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly ordered military strikes against the South American nation. In an formal declaration, the authorities asserted that strikes had hit the capital and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this aggression is to take control of our nation's natural resources, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
Caracas urged the international community to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of global law" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses reported feeling roughly seven detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in different neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard blasts and planes in the sky," commented one resident.
Smoke was observed billowing from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is reported to reside.
Global Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, said it would initiate security protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged strikes follow a extended campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial US military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all national defence plans to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to protest and "reject this external aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not immediately addressed requests for comment regarding the allegations.
