Explosions and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Reports emerged of multiple explosions and the sound of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. This situation has sparked claims from the Venezuelan government and requests for global scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames US of Aggression
The socialist regime has condemned the United States of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the South American country. In an formal statement, the government asserted that attacks had hit the capital and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our only objective of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and resources," the government said.
The government urged the international community to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "blatant breach of global law" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit
Residents reported feeling at least several powerful blasts around the middle of the night in the morning. People in several areas allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We heard explosions and planes in the distance," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was observed rising from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Maduro is thought to reside.
International Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are striking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an urgent emergency session of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate operational plans at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
These alleged attacks follow a extended military buildup by the US against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a substantial US military buildup off the country's northern coast and a number of air strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
The government has announced "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defence plans to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to protest and "repudiate this external act."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not promptly addressed requests for comment regarding the reports.
