Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City

Witness testimonies surfaced of several blasts and the roar of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. The situation has led to allegations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for international intervention.

Caracas Condemns Washington of Military Action

Venezuela's incumbent government has condemned the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly authorized military strikes against the South American nation. In an formal announcement, the authorities stated that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"The only objective of these strikes is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, notably its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela declared.

The government appealed to the global community to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international norms" that endangered numerous of lives in peril.

Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit

Locals spoke of experiencing approximately seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in several areas reportedly hurried into the streets.

"Everything shook. This is terrifying. We experienced explosions and planes in the sky," stated one local.

Black smoke was observed billowing from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.

Global Reaction

The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He called for an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate defense plans at its frontier with its neighbor.

Background

These alleged attacks come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a significant American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of strikes on boats accused of drug trafficking.

Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all defense protocols to be activated. It has also urged its supporters to mobilize and "reject this foreign attack."

US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not publicly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.