Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Accounts emerged of multiple blasts and the roar of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. This situation has sparked claims from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for global action.
Venezuela Blames United States of Attack
Venezuela's authoritarian government has accused the United States of what it calls "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the Latin American state. In an formal declaration, the authorities stated that strikes had targeted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its petroleum and resources," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the global community to condemn the strikes, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered countless of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit
Locals spoke of hearing approximately multiple powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in different districts allegedly rushed into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," stated one resident.
Smoke was reported rising from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.
International Condemnation
The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on social media that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an swift emergency meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, said it would activate defense protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.
Preceding Events
These alleged strikes follow a extended military buildup by the United States against the Maduro government. Since last summer, there has been a substantial naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on boats linked to illegal activities.
The government has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to protest and "denounce this foreign act."
US authorities and the Pentagon have not publicly commented on requests for a statement regarding the allegations.
