Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies emerged of several detonations and the sound of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This situation has sparked allegations from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international action.
Caracas Blames Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's socialist administration has accused the Washington of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the Latin American nation. In an official announcement, the authorities asserted that strikes had hit the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"The only objective of these strikes is to take control of our nation's key assets, notably its oil and mineral wealth," the government said.
Venezuelan officials called on the international community to condemn the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that put numerous of lives at risk in peril.
Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing approximately several powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. People in several districts allegedly rushed into the streets outside.
"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and jets in the area," stated one witness.
Smoke was observed pouring from two army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Regional Condemnation
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an swift emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate operational protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.
Context
These alleged attacks are preceded by a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, authorities reported a major US military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all defense protocols to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to protest and "reject this imperialist attack."
The White House and the Pentagon have not immediately commented on inquiries for comment regarding the reports.
