Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas

Reports surfaced of several explosions and the noise of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. The event has led to claims from Venezuela's leadership and demands for international action.

Caracas Blames United States of Military Action

Venezuela's socialist government has blamed the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," stating that former President Trump allegedly authorized attacks against the South American state. In an public announcement, the government confirmed that attacks had impacted the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.

"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government declared.

Caracas called on the global community to censure the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that placed millions of lives at risk in jeopardy.

Reports of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit

Residents reported experiencing approximately multiple explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in several areas allegedly rushed into the open.

"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the area," stated one local.

Plumes of smoke was seen rising from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.

Regional Reaction

The president of bordering Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are striking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an swift emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.

The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate operational measures at its frontier with Venezuela.

Context

These reported strikes are preceded by a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, there has been a substantial American military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on ships accused of narco-trafficking.

The government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all national defense protocols to be implemented. It has also summoned its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this foreign act."

The White House and the Pentagon did not publicly addressed inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.