🔗 Share this article Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas Reports surfaced of several blasts and the roar of low-flying jets in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. The event has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international scrutiny. Venezuela Blames Washington of Attack The incumbent administration has accused the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," stating that former President Trump supposedly ordered strikes against the South American country. In an official statement, the government confirmed that attacks had hit Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua. "The primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's key assets, especially its oil and minerals," the statement said. Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to condemn the strikes, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international norms" that put numerous of civilians in danger. Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Hit Eyewitnesses spoke of feeling roughly multiple powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in various districts reportedly rushed into the open. "The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and jets in the area," stated one witness. Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside. International Condemnation The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an immediate emergency session of the United Nations Security Council. The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate defense protocols at its frontier with its neighbor. Context The alleged strikes follow a prolonged military buildup by the US against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, there has been a major American military presence off the country's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels linked to illegal activities. Venezuela's administration has declared "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist act." The White House and the Pentagon did not publicly addressed requests for comment regarding the reports.