Explosions and Low-Altitude Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City

Witness testimonies surfaced of several explosions and the sound of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of the weekend. This incident has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for diplomatic intervention.

Caracas Accuses US of Attack

Venezuela's authoritarian government has accused the Washington of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump reportedly authorized attacks against the South American nation. In an official announcement, the authorities stated that attacks had impacted the capital and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.

"Our only objective of this attack is to gain control of our nation's key assets, in particular its petroleum and minerals," the statement asserted.

Caracas appealed to the world to denounce the strikes, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed countless of civilians in danger.

Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Hit

Locals reported feeling approximately seven explosions around the middle of the night local time. Citizens in several districts reportedly ran into the open.

"The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the area," stated one resident.

Smoke was seen pouring from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.

Regional Reaction

The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an swift emergency session of the UN Security Council.

Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would initiate security measures at its shared border with its neighbor.

Background

These reported attacks follow a extended pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Since August, authorities reported a major US military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.

The government has stated "a state of external threat" and directed all defense measures to be activated. It has also summoned its political forces to protest and "repudiate this external aggression."

American officials and the Pentagon have not publicly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the events.