Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Reports emerged of multiple blasts and the sound of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. The incident has led to allegations from Venezuela's authorities and requests for diplomatic action.
Caracas Condemns United States of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has blamed the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly ordered strikes against the Latin American state. In an public declaration, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's key assets, notably its petroleum and resources," the government asserted.
The government called on the international community to condemn the actions, which it labeled a "clear infringement of global law" that placed millions of civilians in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing approximately multiple explosions around 2 a.m. local time. People in different areas allegedly ran into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard blasts and aircraft in the sky," said one witness.
Black smoke was observed pouring from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Maduro is thought to live.
International Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on social media that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an immediate emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate security protocols at its shared border with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged strikes come after a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of air strikes on vessels suspected of narco-trafficking.
The administration has stated "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defence plans to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to mobilize and "denounce this imperialist aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not promptly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
