Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas

Witness testimonies circulated of numerous explosions and the sound of low-flying jets in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. This situation has led to accusations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for international action.

Caracas Condemns United States of Attack

The socialist administration has blamed the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American country. In an official statement, the government confirmed that strikes had targeted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"The only objective of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement said.

The government urged the international community to censure the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered numerous of lives in jeopardy.

Accounts of Explosions and Military Installations Hit

Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing at least multiple detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in various neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the streets outside.

"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and planes in the area," commented one resident.

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

Regional Response

The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He called for an swift emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.

Context

The reported attacks follow a extended military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, there has been a major US military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.

The administration has stated "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defense plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this external attack."

The White House and the US Department of Defense did not publicly commented on inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.