Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Accounts surfaced of numerous explosions and the noise of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The situation has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for global scrutiny.
Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist government has blamed the US of an act of "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the South American state. In an official statement, the authorities asserted that attacks had hit the capital and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this aggression is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, notably its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.
The government called on the world to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international norms" that placed countless of civilians in jeopardy.
Reports of Explosions and Military Bases Targeted
Residents described experiencing at least multiple detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in different districts reportedly rushed into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and planes in the distance," commented one witness.
Plumes of smoke was observed rising from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Global Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would activate security protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged attacks follow a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, authorities reported a significant US military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on vessels linked to illegal activities.
The government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its supporters to mobilize and "reject this imperialist aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not immediately commented on inquiries for comment regarding the events.
