🔗 Share this article Detonations and Low-Altitude Planes Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas Reports emerged of numerous blasts and the sound of low-flying jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. This incident has prompted claims from Venezuela's leadership and requests for diplomatic action. Caracas Blames Washington of Attack The authoritarian government has accused the Washington of committing "imperial aggression," stating that former President Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the South American state. In an official declaration, the authorities stated that attacks had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua. "The primary goal of these strikes is to take control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and resources," the government asserted. The government called on the international community to denounce the actions, which it labeled a "blatant breach of global law" that endangered numerous of civilians in peril. Accounts of Blasts and Defense Sites Targeted Residents reported hearing roughly several powerful blasts around the middle of the night in the morning. People in different neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the streets outside. "The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the distance," said one local. Black smoke was reported rising from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Maduro is thought to reside. International Reaction The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on X that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He called for an swift emergency session of the UN Security Council. The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational measures at its frontier with its neighbor. Context The alleged strikes come after a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, there has been a significant US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking. The government has declared "a state of external disturbance" and directed all defense measures to be implemented. It has also urged its political forces to mobilize and "reject this imperialist attack." US authorities and the Defense Department did not immediately addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.