Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous blasts and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. This event has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for international intervention.
Venezuela's authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly directed strikes against the South American state. In an public announcement, the government asserted that strikes had hit Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"Our sole aim of this attack is to take control of our nation's key assets, especially its crude oil and resources," the government declared.
The government called on the global community to censure the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that put countless of lives at risk in peril.
Eyewitnesses reported experiencing approximately seven explosions around the middle of the night local time. People in different districts reportedly hurried into the open.
"The earth trembled. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the sky," commented one local.
Smoke was observed billowing from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an swift emergency meeting of the Security Council.
The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate security measures at its border with Venezuela.
These reported attacks are preceded by a extended military buildup by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial US military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of air strikes on boats accused of drug trafficking.
The government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and directed all defense plans to be initiated. It has also called on its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this foreign attack."
The White House and the US Department of Defense have not immediately addressed requests for clarification regarding the reports.
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