Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Accounts emerged of numerous explosions and the roar of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The situation has prompted allegations from Venezuela's authorities and requests for diplomatic action.
Caracas Blames US of Military Action
The socialist government has condemned the United States of what it calls "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump supposedly authorized strikes against the South American country. In an formal declaration, the government stated that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this attack is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, notably its crude oil and minerals," Venezuela asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the global community to condemn the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that put numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Installations Targeted
Locals spoke of hearing at least several detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in different districts reportedly rushed into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," commented one witness.
Plumes of smoke was seen rising from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Maduro is reported to have a residence.
Regional Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an urgent emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, said it would activate security measures at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
The alleged strikes are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, there has been a significant naval presence off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on boats suspected of illegal activities.
Venezuela's government has announced "a state of emergency" and directed all national defence plans to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this imperialist attack."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not immediately addressed requests for clarification regarding the events.
