Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas

Accounts circulated of numerous explosions and the sound of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. The situation has led to allegations from the Venezuelan government and calls for diplomatic action.

Caracas Accuses US of Attack

Venezuela's socialist government has blamed the Washington of what it calls "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the South American country. In an formal announcement, the authorities asserted that attacks had hit Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"The only objective of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government said.

Venezuelan officials called on the global community to censure the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that placed countless of civilians in danger.

Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Targeted

Eyewitnesses reported hearing approximately multiple explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Citizens in various districts allegedly ran into the streets.

"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and jets in the sky," stated one local.

Smoke was observed billowing from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is thought to live.

Regional Reaction

The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He requested an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would activate operational measures at its shared border with its neighbor.

Preceding Events

The alleged attacks come after a extended pressure campaign by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant naval buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on boats linked to drug trafficking.

Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all national defence protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "denounce this imperialist aggression."

The White House and the US Department of Defense have not immediately responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the events.