Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous blasts and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of the weekend. This event has led to allegations from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for global intervention.
Caracas Accuses US of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent government has condemned the Washington of an act of "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump allegedly authorized strikes against the Latin American state. In an public statement, the authorities stated that attacks had impacted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the world to censure the actions, which it described a "blatant breach of international law" that endangered countless of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Installations Hit
Locals described hearing at least multiple detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in several districts reportedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the distance," said one resident.
Smoke was seen billowing from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Maduro is believed to live.
Regional Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He called for an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These reported attacks follow a prolonged pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since August, authorities reported a major American military buildup off the country's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.
The government has declared "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defense protocols to be initiated. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "reject this external aggression."
American officials and the Pentagon did not immediately addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the events.
