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Reports circulated of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This incident has led to claims from the Venezuelan government and calls for diplomatic scrutiny.

Venezuela Condemns Washington of Attack

The socialist regime has blamed the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump supposedly authorized military strikes against the South American state. In an public announcement, the government asserted that strikes had hit the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"Our only objective of this attack is to take control of our nation's natural resources, especially its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government said.

The government appealed to the international community to censure the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of international norms" that put numerous of lives at risk in danger.

Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Targeted

Locals described hearing approximately seven detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in different areas reportedly hurried into the open.

"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard blasts and aircraft in the sky," commented one local.

Smoke was observed billowing from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.

International Reaction

The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an swift emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The Colombian government, which recently joined the UNSC, announced it would activate defense protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.

Context

The reported attacks are preceded by a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major naval presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on boats linked to illegal activities.

Venezuela's government has stated "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all national defense measures to be activated. It has also urged its supporters to mobilize and "reject this imperialist attack."

American officials and the Defense Department did not publicly addressed requests for clarification regarding the reports.