Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies surfaced of several detonations and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This event has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for international action.
Venezuela Condemns US of Attack
The socialist regime has condemned the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the Latin American nation. In an public statement, the authorities asserted that strikes had targeted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and resources," Venezuela said.
The government urged the global community to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of global law" that endangered millions of lives at risk in jeopardy.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Residents reported feeling approximately multiple explosions around 2:00 AM local time. People in several areas reportedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was frightening. We experienced blasts and planes in the sky," said one local.
Plumes of smoke was observed pouring from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
International Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are striking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would activate security plans at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged attacks follow a months-long pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro regime. Since August, there has been a major American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense measures to be initiated. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "repudiate this external aggression."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not publicly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the reports.
