Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Accounts emerged of numerous explosions and the roar of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. This event has sparked claims from Venezuela's leadership and demands for global scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action
The socialist administration has blamed the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump supposedly directed attacks against the South American country. In an formal statement, the authorities asserted that strikes had hit Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, notably its crude oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to condemn the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed numerous of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit
Residents described experiencing roughly several powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in different neighborhoods reportedly ran into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the distance," said one local.
Black smoke was seen billowing from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
Regional Response
The president of neighboring Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He called for an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would initiate operational protocols at its border with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported strikes are preceded by a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a significant naval buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of emergency" and directed all defense plans to be activated. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "reject this imperialist act."
American officials and the Defense Department did not promptly responded to requests for clarification regarding the allegations.