Detonations and Low-Altitude Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Reports circulated of numerous blasts and the roar of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. This incident has prompted claims from the Venezuelan authorities and calls for diplomatic action.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Aggression
The socialist regime has condemned the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the South American country. In an public declaration, the authorities confirmed that attacks had hit the capital and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and resources," the statement declared.
The government appealed to the international community to censure the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered countless of lives at risk in danger.
Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Targeted
Residents spoke of hearing approximately multiple detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in different areas allegedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We experienced explosions and planes in the area," commented one local.
Black smoke was reported rising from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is thought to have a residence.
Global Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on social media that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He called for an urgent emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate operational measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged attacks are preceded by a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro government. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial naval deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.
The government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence protocols to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external aggression."
American officials and the US Department of Defense have not publicly commented on requests for a statement regarding the events.
