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Witness testimonies circulated of numerous blasts and the noise of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This event has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan government and requests for global scrutiny.

Caracas Blames Washington of Military Action

The incumbent regime has condemned the United States of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Trump reportedly directed military strikes against the Latin American country. In an formal announcement, the government confirmed that attacks had impacted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.

"The sole aim of these strikes is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the statement declared.

Caracas urged the global community to condemn the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that put numerous of lives in danger.

Accounts of Explosions and Military Bases Targeted

Residents reported feeling roughly multiple powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. People in various neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the streets.

"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the sky," said one local.

Smoke was reported rising from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.

Global Response

The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He requested an swift emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, announced it would activate security plans at its border with Venezuela.

Context

These alleged strikes are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, authorities reported a significant US military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.

Venezuela's administration has declared "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defense plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its supporters to protest and "repudiate this external aggression."

American officials and the Pentagon have not publicly addressed requests for comment regarding the events.