Explosions and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas

Witness testimonies emerged of several explosions and the roar of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. This situation has prompted claims from Venezuela's government and calls for international action.

Caracas Condemns US of Military Action

The incumbent administration has accused the United States of an act of "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the South American country. In an public statement, the government stated that strikes had impacted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"Our primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.

The government appealed to the world to denounce the operations, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed millions of lives in danger.

Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted

Eyewitnesses described hearing roughly seven explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in several neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets.

"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and planes in the area," stated one witness.

Smoke was observed rising from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is thought to reside.

International Response

The president of bordering Colombia, stated on social media that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.

The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate operational protocols at its border with Venezuela.

Background

These reported strikes follow a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro government. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a major US military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.

The administration has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all national defense protocols to be implemented. It has also called on its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this external attack."

American officials and the US Department of Defense did not publicly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the allegations.