Blasts and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of several blasts and the sound of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. This situation has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for international scrutiny.
Caracas Blames Washington of Attack
The authoritarian administration has condemned the United States of committing "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly authorized strikes against the South American state. In an official statement, the authorities asserted that strikes had hit Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The only objective of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," Venezuela declared.
Caracas called on the world to censure the actions, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international law" that put numerous of civilians in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Hit
Eyewitnesses described hearing approximately several powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in several neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," stated one resident.
Smoke was seen rising from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Maduro is reported to live.
Regional Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on social media that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate security protocols at its border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
The alleged attacks are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on boats accused of drug trafficking.
The government has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also urged its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external attack."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not publicly commented on requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
