Blasts and Low-Altitude Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Accounts emerged of numerous explosions and the noise of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This event has sparked accusations from Venezuela's leadership and calls for diplomatic scrutiny.
Caracas Blames United States of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent administration has blamed the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the South American state. In an formal announcement, the government confirmed that strikes had hit the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to take control of our nation's natural resources, especially its crude oil and minerals," the government said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to condemn the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that put millions of civilians in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Military Sites Hit
Locals spoke of experiencing approximately several detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in different neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," commented one local.
Plumes of smoke was seen pouring from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate defense plans at its border with Venezuela.
Background
The reported attacks follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, authorities reported a major American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense plans to be activated. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "reject this foreign attack."
American officials and the US Department of Defense have not immediately addressed requests for a statement regarding the reports.
