Blasts and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas
Witness testimonies emerged of several blasts and the noise of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of the weekend. The incident has prompted allegations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for diplomatic intervention.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's incumbent government has blamed the US of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the South American country. In an formal statement, the government confirmed that attacks had hit the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The only objective of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its petroleum and resources," Venezuela declared.
Venezuelan officials called on the world to condemn the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing roughly several powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in various districts allegedly hurried into the streets.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We experienced explosions and jets in the sky," commented one witness.
Smoke was observed billowing from two army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Maduro is thought to reside.
Regional Reaction
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an swift meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would initiate security measures at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
The alleged attacks come after a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro regime. Beginning in August, there has been a significant US military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all national defense measures to be activated. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "reject this imperialist act."
American officials and the Defense Department have not publicly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the reports.
