Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Accounts circulated of numerous explosions and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. The event has led to allegations from the Venezuelan government and requests for global intervention.
Caracas Blames Washington of Attack
The socialist administration has blamed the Washington of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Trump reportedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American country. In an formal announcement, the authorities stated that attacks had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
The government appealed to the world to denounce the actions, which it described a "blatant breach of international law" that endangered millions of lives in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Residents described feeling roughly seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in different neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," said one witness.
Smoke was observed rising from two army bases in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Regional Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He requested an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate security protocols at its border with its neighbor.
Background
The reported strikes are preceded by a extended military buildup by the US against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
The government has announced "the implementation of emergency" and directed all national defense protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "repudiate this foreign act."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not publicly commented on requests for comment regarding the events.
