Blasts and Low-Altitude Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports surfaced of several explosions and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This event has led to allegations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for diplomatic scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames US of Aggression
The incumbent administration has blamed the United States of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the Latin American country. In an official announcement, the government asserted that strikes had targeted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this aggression is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its oil and resources," the government said.
Caracas appealed to the world to condemn the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that put numerous of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted
Eyewitnesses described experiencing approximately seven explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in various districts allegedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and jets in the distance," commented one witness.
Plumes of smoke was reported rising from two defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
Regional Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He requested an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, stated it would activate operational plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes come after a months-long pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a significant US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on ships accused of illegal activities.
The administration has stated "a state of external disturbance" and directed all national defence protocols to be implemented. It has also summoned its supporters to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign attack."
American officials and the Defense Department have not promptly commented on requests for comment regarding the allegations.
