Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Reports circulated of numerous blasts and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This situation has led to accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for diplomatic action.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's socialist regime has accused the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump reportedly authorized attacks against the South American nation. In an public statement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its crude oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.
Caracas called on the global community to censure the actions, which it described a "flagrant violation of international norms" that put countless of lives in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit
Residents reported hearing roughly several explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in different districts allegedly hurried into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and planes in the sky," stated one resident.
Smoke was reported billowing from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.
International Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "Right now they are striking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He called for an swift emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate security plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged attacks come after a extended pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, there has been a substantial American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities.
Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "reject this foreign aggression."
The White House and the Pentagon have not publicly commented on requests for comment regarding the reports.
