Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas
Reports emerged of multiple detonations and the roar of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of the weekend. This incident has led to allegations from Venezuela's government and calls for international intervention.
Venezuela Blames US of Attack
The incumbent government has blamed the US of an act of "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the Latin American state. In an formal statement, the government confirmed that strikes had targeted Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The sole aim of this attack is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
Caracas appealed to the world to censure the strikes, which it described a "flagrant violation of international law" that endangered numerous of lives at risk in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Residents spoke of feeling roughly multiple detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in several neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," commented one local.
Smoke was observed rising from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
Global Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He called for an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would activate security measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
These alleged strikes follow a months-long pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major American military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking.
The government has declared "the implementation of emergency" and directed all defense protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to protest and "reject this external attack."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not promptly addressed inquiries for comment regarding the events.
