🔗 Share this article Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas Accounts surfaced of several detonations and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. This incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's government and requests for global scrutiny. Venezuela Condemns Washington of Aggression The incumbent government has accused the Washington of what it calls "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly ordered military strikes against the South American nation. In an official declaration, the government stated that strikes had targeted the capital and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state. "Our sole aim of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its oil and mineral wealth," the statement said. Venezuelan officials urged the global community to condemn the strikes, which it described a "blatant breach of international law" that placed numerous of civilians in jeopardy. Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Targeted Eyewitnesses described feeling at least seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in several areas reportedly rushed into the streets outside. "The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," said one resident. Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside. Regional Response The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on X that "Right now they are striking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He requested an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate security plans at its frontier with Venezuela. Context The reported strikes come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro administration. Since August, authorities reported a major American military presence off the country's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking. Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defense measures to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to take to the streets and "repudiate this foreign aggression." US authorities and the Defense Department did not promptly commented on requests for comment regarding the allegations.