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

Reports emerged of numerous explosions and the sound of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. The event has prompted accusations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for global scrutiny.

Venezuela Condemns US of Military Action

The incumbent regime has blamed the US of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the South American country. In an formal declaration, the authorities stated that attacks had targeted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.

"The primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," the statement said.

Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to censure the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that put countless of lives in danger.

Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted

Locals spoke of experiencing roughly several explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in different neighborhoods allegedly ran into the streets outside.

"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the area," commented one witness.

Plumes of smoke was seen billowing from two army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.

Regional Response

The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate defense measures at its frontier with Venezuela.

Background

The reported attacks come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, there has been a substantial naval buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities.

Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external threat" and ordered all defense measures to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to take to the streets and "reject this imperialist attack."

The White House and the Pentagon did not publicly commented on requests for clarification regarding the reports.