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

Witness testimonies circulated of several detonations and the noise of low-flying planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. This event has sparked allegations from Venezuela's government and demands for diplomatic action.

Caracas Blames United States of Military Action

The authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of committing "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly directed strikes against the South American state. In an public announcement, the government confirmed that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"Our only objective of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its petroleum and minerals," the statement declared.

Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to censure the actions, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that put millions of civilians in peril.

Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit

Locals described experiencing at least several powerful blasts around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in several areas allegedly hurried into the streets.

"Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard blasts and planes in the sky," commented one resident.

Plumes of smoke was observed billowing from major army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.

International Response

The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, said it would initiate operational measures at its shared border with Venezuela.

Preceding Events

These alleged strikes are preceded by a prolonged campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, authorities reported a major naval deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.

Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its political forces to protest and "repudiate this imperialist act."

American officials and the Defense Department have not promptly addressed inquiries for comment regarding the events.