Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City

Reports circulated of numerous detonations and the sound of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. This event has led to accusations from Venezuela's authorities and requests for global scrutiny.

Caracas Accuses US of Aggression

Venezuela's incumbent regime has blamed the US of committing "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Trump allegedly authorized military strikes against the South American nation. In an official announcement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had impacted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.

"The primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's key assets, especially its crude oil and resources," the statement declared.

The government called on the world to censure the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that placed millions of lives in danger.

Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Hit

Locals described feeling at least seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in several districts allegedly hurried into the streets.

"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and jets in the area," said one witness.

Black smoke was reported pouring from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.

International Condemnation

The president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would activate operational protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.

Context

These alleged attacks are preceded by a prolonged campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro administration. Since August, authorities reported a substantial American military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.

The government has declared "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defence plans to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign attack."

American officials and the US Department of Defense have not promptly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the events.