Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City

Reports emerged of several explosions and the sound of low-flying jets in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. This incident has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan authorities and requests for global action.

Venezuela Condemns Washington of Military Action

The incumbent government has accused the United States of an act of "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly directed strikes against the South American state. In an official declaration, the government confirmed that attacks had hit Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"The primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's key assets, notably its petroleum and resources," the government asserted.

Caracas appealed to the world to condemn the actions, which it described a "blatant breach of global law" that placed countless of lives at risk in peril.

Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit

Residents reported experiencing roughly several explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in various neighborhoods allegedly ran into the streets outside.

"The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We heard blasts and planes in the area," commented one local.

Smoke was observed rising from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Maduro is believed to live.

International Condemnation

The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, stated it would activate defense protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.

Context

The reported strikes come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro government. Beginning in August, authorities reported a significant American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.

The administration has announced "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also summoned its political forces to take to the streets and "reject this external attack."

American officials and the Defense Department have not immediately responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.