Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas

Accounts circulated of multiple blasts and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This event has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for international intervention.

Venezuela Condemns United States of Aggression

The socialist government has blamed the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the South American country. In an official announcement, the government confirmed that attacks had hit the capital and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"Our primary goal of this aggression is to take control of our nation's natural resources, especially its petroleum and minerals," the government declared.

Venezuelan officials called on the global community to condemn the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that placed countless of lives at risk in jeopardy.

Accounts of Explosions and Military Installations Hit

Eyewitnesses described feeling approximately several detonations around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in various areas reportedly hurried into the open.

"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," commented one local.

Plumes of smoke was reported rising from two defense sites in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.

Global Reaction

The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on X that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate security protocols at its shared border with its neighbor.

Context

The reported attacks follow a extended pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, there has been a significant US military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.

The government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all defense plans to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to protest and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."

US authorities and the Defense Department did not publicly commented on inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.