Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of several blasts and the roar of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The situation has prompted claims from Venezuela's government and calls for international action.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian government has blamed the United States of committing "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the Latin American nation. In an public announcement, the authorities stated that strikes had hit Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of these strikes is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
Caracas urged the world to condemn the actions, which it labeled a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered millions of lives in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted
Locals reported hearing approximately seven detonations around the middle of the night local time. People in different districts reportedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," said one witness.
Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is thought to live.
International Response
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on social media that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He called for an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged strikes follow a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a major US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all defense plans to be activated. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not immediately responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the events.
