Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City

Reports emerged of numerous blasts and the noise of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The event has led to accusations from Venezuela's authorities and demands for international action.

Caracas Blames Washington of Military Action

Venezuela's socialist administration has blamed the United States of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized attacks against the South American state. In an formal statement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had targeted the capital and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.

"The primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," Venezuela declared.

Caracas appealed to the international community to censure the actions, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international law" that placed millions of civilians in jeopardy.

Reports of Explosions and Military Sites Hit

Locals described experiencing approximately multiple explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in various districts reportedly hurried into the streets outside.

"Everything shook. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," said one resident.

Black smoke was seen rising from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Maduro is thought to have a residence.

International Reaction

The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an urgent emergency session of the Security Council.

Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate defense plans at its border with Venezuela.

Context

The alleged attacks come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a substantial American military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on boats suspected of narco-trafficking.

The administration has stated "the implementation of emergency" and directed all defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to take to the streets and "repudiate this imperialist act."

The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately addressed requests for clarification regarding the allegations.