Detonations and Low-Altitude Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Reports surfaced of numerous detonations and the noise of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The event has led to claims from the Venezuelan authorities and demands for global intervention.
Caracas Condemns US of Aggression
The authoritarian regime has accused the United States of committing "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the South American country. In an official statement, the authorities asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our only objective of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement declared.
The government appealed to the world to censure the actions, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered countless of lives at risk in peril.
Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Residents described hearing roughly seven detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in different districts reportedly hurried into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the sky," commented one local.
Smoke was seen rising from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is reported to reside.
Regional Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "Currently they are striking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, stated it would initiate operational plans at its border with Venezuela.
Background
These reported attacks are preceded by a prolonged campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, there has been a major American military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on boats accused of drug trafficking.
The government has announced "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all national defense plans to be activated. It has also summoned its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this external act."
The White House and the Pentagon have not publicly addressed inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.
