Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City

Accounts circulated of several explosions and the noise of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. This event has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and calls for international action.

Caracas Blames Washington of Aggression

Venezuela's authoritarian government has accused the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American state. In an public statement, the government stated that attacks had targeted the capital and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.

"The sole aim of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and minerals," the government asserted.

Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to condemn the strikes, which it termed a "clear infringement of global law" that put numerous of civilians in jeopardy.

Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Targeted

Residents spoke of experiencing approximately multiple powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. People in various districts reportedly ran into the open.

"Everything shook. This is frightening. We heard blasts and jets in the distance," commented one witness.

Plumes of smoke was observed pouring from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.

Global Response

The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on X that "At this moment they are striking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He called for an immediate emergency session of the Security Council.

The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate security protocols at its border with Venezuela.

Preceding Events

These alleged attacks come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in August, authorities reported a major naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on ships accused of narco-trafficking.

Venezuela's administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all defense protocols to be activated. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "repudiate this external act."

The White House and the US Department of Defense did not immediately addressed requests for a statement regarding the events.