Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas

Accounts emerged of several detonations and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The incident has led to claims from the Venezuelan authorities and requests for diplomatic scrutiny.

Caracas Blames Washington of Attack

Venezuela's authoritarian regime has accused the Washington of an act of "imperial aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the South American nation. In an formal statement, the authorities stated that strikes had impacted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.

"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of our nation's key assets, notably its crude oil and resources," the government said.

Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to condemn the strikes, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international law" that put numerous of lives in peril.

Reports of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit

Eyewitnesses reported hearing approximately multiple powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. People in various areas reportedly ran into the streets.

"The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the sky," commented one resident.

Black smoke was seen billowing from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is thought to reside.

Regional Response

The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on X that "Currently they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, said it would activate defense protocols at its border with Venezuela.

Context

The reported strikes are preceded by a prolonged campaign of pressure by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant American military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.

The administration has declared "a state of external disturbance" and directed all defense measures to be implemented. It has also summoned its supporters to mobilize and "reject this external attack."

The White House and the Defense Department have not promptly addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.