Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas

Accounts surfaced of multiple explosions and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. This situation has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan government and demands for international scrutiny.

Caracas Blames US of Military Action

The socialist government has condemned the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly authorized attacks against the South American state. In an formal statement, the government asserted that attacks had targeted the capital and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.

"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its oil and resources," Venezuela declared.

Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to condemn the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of international law" that endangered millions of civilians in peril.

Accounts of Explosions and Military Installations Hit

Residents reported hearing roughly several explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in various areas allegedly hurried into the open.

"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the area," commented one resident.

Plumes of smoke was seen pouring from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Maduro is believed to live.

Regional Reaction

The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He demanded an swift emergency session of the Security Council.

The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would activate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.

Background

These alleged strikes are preceded by a extended military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a significant US military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.

Venezuela's government has declared "a state of emergency" and ordered all defense plans to be activated. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign act."

US authorities and the Defense Department did not publicly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.