Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas

Witness testimonies circulated of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This event has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and demands for diplomatic action.

Venezuela Condemns US of Aggression

The socialist government has accused the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized strikes against the Latin American state. In an official statement, the authorities confirmed that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.

"Our only objective of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement said.

Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to denounce the strikes, which it described a "flagrant violation of international norms" that endangered countless of civilians in jeopardy.

Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Targeted

Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing approximately seven explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. People in various areas allegedly hurried into the streets.

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

Smoke was reported rising from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Maduro is reported to reside.

International Response

The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an immediate emergency meeting of the Security Council.

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

Background

The reported attacks come after a prolonged campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, authorities reported a substantial US military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on boats linked to narco-trafficking.

The government has stated "a state of external threat" and directed all national defense measures to be initiated. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this external act."

American officials and the Pentagon have not promptly responded to requests for clarification regarding the reports.