Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Reports circulated of multiple blasts and the noise of low-flying planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The incident has led to allegations from Venezuela's government and demands for global action.
Venezuela Accuses US of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent regime has blamed the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly authorized attacks against the Latin American country. In an public statement, the government asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its oil and minerals," the statement asserted.
The government appealed to the global community to denounce the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that endangered countless of lives in peril.
Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses reported hearing roughly seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. People in several areas reportedly ran into the streets.
"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," commented one resident.
Plumes of smoke was seen rising from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Maduro is reported to live.
Regional Reaction
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate security measures at its border with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged attacks are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major naval presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all defense plans to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist attack."
US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not publicly addressed requests for a statement regarding the events.
