Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas

Reports circulated of several blasts and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's government and requests for international scrutiny.

Caracas Accuses US of Military Action

Venezuela's authoritarian regime has condemned the Washington of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump allegedly authorized strikes against the South American country. In an official announcement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had targeted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.

"Our primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," the government asserted.

The government urged the global community to condemn the actions, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.

Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit

Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing at least multiple powerful blasts around the middle of the night in the morning. People in several districts allegedly rushed into the streets outside.

"The whole ground shook. This is terrifying. We experienced explosions and jets in the distance," commented one witness.

Smoke was observed rising from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.

Regional Condemnation

The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on social media that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He demanded an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would activate security plans at its frontier with its neighbor.

Background

These alleged strikes are preceded by a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant US military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on boats accused of illegal activities.

The administration has declared "the implementation of external threat" and directed all national defence plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist aggression."

US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not immediately responded to requests for a statement regarding the events.