Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Accounts circulated of multiple blasts and the noise of low-flying planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. The event has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan government and calls for international action.
Caracas Accuses Washington of Attack
The socialist government has accused the Washington of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized military strikes against the South American state. In an public statement, the government confirmed that attacks had targeted Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The primary goal of these strikes is to take control of our nation's key assets, notably its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela asserted.
Caracas urged the global community to censure the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed numerous of lives in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses described hearing roughly several detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in different neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and jets in the distance," commented one witness.
Plumes of smoke was observed rising from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.
International Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on social media that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He requested an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate security plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
The reported strikes are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, there has been a significant American military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
The government has announced "a state of emergency" and ordered all national defense protocols to be initiated. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "repudiate this foreign aggression."
American officials and the Pentagon did not immediately addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
