Explosions and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City
Accounts circulated of numerous blasts and the sound of low-flying jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The incident has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and calls for diplomatic action.
Venezuela Condemns United States of Military Action
The incumbent regime has condemned the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the South American country. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The only objective of this attack is to seize control of our nation's key assets, in particular its oil and resources," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials urged the international community to censure the strikes, which it described a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered millions of lives at risk in danger.
Reports of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit
Locals spoke of experiencing roughly multiple powerful blasts around the middle of the night in the morning. People in several districts reportedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," stated one local.
Smoke was observed pouring from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Maduro is believed to live.
International Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate security measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
Context
The alleged attacks come after a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a substantial American military buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on boats linked to narco-trafficking.
The administration has declared "a state of emergency" and ordered all national defense measures to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "denounce this external act."
US authorities and the Defense Department did not immediately responded to requests for a statement regarding the reports.