Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Accounts emerged of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. This event has led to accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for diplomatic action.
Caracas Condemns US of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent administration has blamed the US of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly directed attacks against the Latin American nation. In an public announcement, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and minerals," Venezuela asserted.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to censure the strikes, which it described a "flagrant violation of international norms" that endangered countless of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted
Residents spoke of feeling approximately several explosions around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in various neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and planes in the distance," commented one local.
Plumes of smoke was seen billowing from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
Global Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate security measures at its shared border with Venezuela.
Background
The alleged strikes are preceded by a months-long pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, there has been a significant naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all national defence plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to mobilize and "reject this external aggression."
The White House and the Defense Department did not immediately responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
