Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of numerous detonations and the noise of low-flying planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. The situation has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and calls for global action.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Attack
The socialist administration has condemned the Washington of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump reportedly directed attacks against the Latin American country. In an public statement, the government stated that attacks had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela said.
Caracas appealed to the international community to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that placed numerous of lives at risk in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Military Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses described hearing at least several detonations around the middle of the night local time. Residents in several areas reportedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and planes in the distance," said one local.
Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on social media that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an urgent emergency session of the Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate operational measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged strikes are preceded by a months-long campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial naval deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels suspected of narco-trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of external disturbance" and commanded all defense measures to be initiated. It has also called on its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not publicly addressed requests for a statement regarding the events.
