Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas
Witness testimonies circulated of multiple explosions and the noise of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The incident has sparked accusations from Venezuela's leadership and calls for global scrutiny.
Venezuela Accuses Washington of Aggression
Venezuela's incumbent regime has condemned the United States of what it calls "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the South American state. In an official statement, the authorities stated that strikes had targeted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," Venezuela said.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to censure the strikes, which it termed a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed millions of lives in peril.
Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted
Residents spoke of feeling at least several detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. Citizens in several districts allegedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and aircraft in the sky," stated one witness.
Smoke was seen rising from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
Global Response
The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on social media that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Background
These alleged attacks are preceded by a months-long pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on ships suspected of narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "reject this foreign attack."
The White House and the US Department of Defense did not immediately addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the events.
