🔗 Share this article Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas Witness testimonies emerged of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. The situation has led to allegations from Venezuela's government and calls for international intervention. Venezuela Blames US of Attack Venezuela's authoritarian administration has condemned the US of what it calls "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the Latin American state. In an formal announcement, the authorities asserted that strikes had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state. "The only objective of this aggression is to take control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and resources," the statement declared. Venezuelan officials called on the global community to condemn the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered millions of lives at risk in peril. Accounts of Explosions and Military Bases Hit Eyewitnesses described hearing roughly seven detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in various neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the streets outside. "The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and jets in the area," said one local. Black smoke was reported pouring from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Maduro is reported to have a residence. International Response The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council. The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, stated it would initiate security protocols at its shared border with Venezuela. Context These alleged strikes follow a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a major naval presence off the country's northern coast and a number of strikes on vessels linked to narco-trafficking. The government has announced "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defence measures to be initiated. It has also urged its political forces to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign attack." US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not immediately commented on inquiries for comment regarding the events.