Detonations and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous blasts and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. The incident has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for global scrutiny.
Caracas Accuses US of Aggression
The socialist regime has blamed the US of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the Latin American nation. In an formal declaration, the authorities confirmed that attacks had hit the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its oil and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.
The government appealed to the world to condemn the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international norms" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit
Locals reported hearing roughly seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in various neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and planes in the distance," said one local.
Plumes of smoke was observed rising from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is believed to live.
Regional Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on social media that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He requested an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate security plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The alleged strikes come after a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Maduro government. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defence protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."
American officials and the US Department of Defense did not publicly addressed requests for a statement regarding the allegations.