Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Reports circulated of numerous blasts and the noise of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. The event has prompted claims from the Venezuelan government and requests for global intervention.
Venezuela Blames United States of Military Action
Venezuela's incumbent regime has accused the US of what it calls "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the South American nation. In an formal announcement, the government stated that strikes had hit Caracas and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its crude oil and resources," Venezuela asserted.
Caracas appealed to the international community to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered millions of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing at least seven explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in several districts allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the sky," stated one witness.
Smoke was observed pouring from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He requested an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would activate operational plans at its frontier with Venezuela.
Background
The reported strikes come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial American military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels linked to illegal activities.
The administration has announced "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all national defence protocols to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to mobilize and "reject this imperialist act."
US authorities and the Defense Department have not publicly addressed inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.
