Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City
Witness testimonies circulated of numerous explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. This event has prompted claims from the Venezuelan government and requests for global intervention.
Caracas Condemns Washington of Military Action
Venezuela's authoritarian regime has blamed the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," claiming that former President Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an official announcement, the government confirmed that attacks had hit Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.
"Our primary goal of this aggression is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and minerals," Venezuela asserted.
Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to condemn the strikes, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international norms" that endangered countless of civilians in jeopardy.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Installations Hit
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing approximately several powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in several neighborhoods allegedly ran into the streets.
"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the sky," commented one local.
Plumes of smoke was seen rising from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Maduro is believed to live.
International Condemnation
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on X that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, stated it would initiate security protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
The reported strikes follow a extended pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial naval presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on boats linked to narco-trafficking.
Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of external threat" and directed all defense plans to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this imperialist act."
American officials and the Defense Department did not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the events.
