Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. The situation has led to allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for international action.
Caracas Blames Washington of Attack
Venezuela's socialist regime has condemned the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized attacks against the Latin American state. In an formal declaration, the authorities confirmed that strikes had hit the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its oil and mineral wealth," the statement declared.
The government appealed to the global community to censure the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered numerous of lives in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Hit
Locals spoke of feeling roughly seven explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in different districts allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the area," stated one local.
Black smoke was observed billowing from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is believed to live.
Global Response
The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are striking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate security measures at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged attacks come after a prolonged campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial naval presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on boats accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all national defense measures to be initiated. It has also summoned its supporters to mobilize and "denounce this foreign aggression."
The White House and the Pentagon did not promptly addressed requests for comment regarding the allegations.
