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Reports emerged of multiple blasts and the sound of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. The situation has prompted accusations from Venezuela's government and calls for global scrutiny.

Venezuela Accuses United States of Attack

Venezuela's incumbent regime has blamed the Washington of an act of "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the South American state. In an official announcement, the authorities stated that strikes had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.

"Our primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and resources," the statement declared.

Venezuelan officials called on the global community to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "blatant breach of international law" that put numerous of civilians in danger.

Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Targeted

Residents spoke of feeling roughly multiple explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in different neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the streets outside.

"Everything shook. It was frightening. We heard blasts and aircraft in the sky," stated one local.

Smoke was observed billowing from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.

Global Condemnation

The president of neighboring Colombia, stated on X that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He called for an immediate emergency session of the Security Council.

The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate defense plans at its shared border with its neighbor.

Background

These reported attacks are preceded by a extended pressure campaign by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, there has been a significant American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.

Venezuela's government has declared "a state of external threat" and ordered all national defence plans to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "repudiate this foreign aggression."

US authorities and the Pentagon did not publicly responded to requests for clarification regarding the events.