Detonations and Low-Flying Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City
Reports emerged of several blasts and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. The incident has led to allegations from Venezuela's government and calls for international scrutiny.
Venezuela Blames Washington of Attack
Venezuela's incumbent government has condemned the Washington of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump supposedly ordered strikes against the South American nation. In an official statement, the authorities stated that attacks had hit Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
"Our primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's key assets, especially its petroleum and resources," the statement asserted.
Venezuelan officials called on the world to condemn the actions, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that placed numerous of civilians in danger.
Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Targeted
Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing approximately several detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in various districts reportedly rushed into the streets.
"The earth trembled. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the distance," stated one witness.
Plumes of smoke was seen billowing from two defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Maduro is thought to have a residence.
International Reaction
The president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an swift emergency session of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate security protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.
Context
These alleged attacks are preceded by a prolonged military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.
Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defense protocols to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "repudiate this external aggression."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not immediately commented on inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.
