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

Witness testimonies surfaced of several blasts and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. This incident has led to accusations from Venezuela's leadership and calls for diplomatic action.

Venezuela Accuses US of Military Action

The incumbent government has condemned the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly ordered attacks against the Latin American country. In an formal declaration, the government confirmed that strikes had impacted the capital and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"Our only objective of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, notably its petroleum and resources," the statement said.

Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to censure the strikes, which it termed a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered countless of lives at risk in jeopardy.

Accounts of Explosions and Military Installations Targeted

Residents spoke of hearing approximately several detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in different neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the streets outside.

"The earth trembled. This is frightening. We heard blasts and jets in the area," stated one local.

Plumes of smoke was seen billowing from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.

International Condemnation

The president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on X that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.

Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would initiate defense plans at its border with its neighbor.

Context

The alleged attacks are preceded by a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial US military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on ships linked to drug trafficking.

The administration has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and directed all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign aggression."

The White House and the Defense Department did not publicly commented on requests for clarification regarding the events.