Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas
Reports surfaced of numerous detonations and the noise of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The situation has sparked claims from Venezuela's leadership and requests for diplomatic intervention.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Attack
Venezuela's socialist government has accused the US of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Trump reportedly authorized attacks against the Latin American nation. In an public declaration, the government asserted that attacks had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government declared.
The government appealed to the global community to censure the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered countless of civilians in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Bases Hit
Locals spoke of feeling roughly multiple detonations around 2 a.m. local time. People in various districts reportedly hurried into the open.
"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and aircraft in the distance," stated one local.
Smoke was observed pouring from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Maduro is reported to reside.
Regional Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He called for an urgent emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would activate security protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Preceding Events
The reported attacks come after a prolonged military buildup by the US against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, there has been a significant US military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "a state of external threat" and directed all defense plans to be initiated. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "repudiate this imperialist attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly addressed inquiries for comment regarding the events.