Blasts and Low-Altitude Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Reports circulated of numerous explosions and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The situation has sparked allegations from Venezuela's leadership and calls for global scrutiny.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Military Action
Venezuela's incumbent administration has accused the US of what it calls "imperial aggression," stating that former President Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the South American country. In an formal announcement, the authorities asserted that attacks had hit the capital and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the government declared.
Caracas called on the international community to condemn the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of international law" that put countless of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Military Sites Targeted
Residents described hearing roughly seven powerful blasts around the middle of the night local time. Residents in various areas allegedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We experienced blasts and jets in the area," said one resident.
Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.
Global Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, announced it would activate security measures at its border with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged strikes follow a extended military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Since last summer, there has been a significant American military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on vessels linked to illegal activities.
The administration has declared "a state of external threat" and directed all national defense protocols to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign act."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not immediately responded to inquiries for comment regarding the events.