Blasts and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas

Reports circulated of several blasts and the sound of low-flying jets in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. The situation has led to accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for international intervention.

Caracas Condemns US of Aggression

Venezuela's authoritarian administration has blamed the United States of what it calls "imperialist aggression," stating that ex- President Trump supposedly directed strikes against the South American nation. In an formal announcement, the government stated that attacks had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"The sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.

The government urged the global community to denounce the operations, which it termed a "clear infringement of international norms" that placed numerous of lives in peril.

Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Targeted

Residents spoke of experiencing roughly multiple detonations around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in various districts reportedly ran into the open.

"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and planes in the area," stated one resident.

Plumes of smoke was observed rising from key military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Maduro is thought to reside.

Global Response

The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on social media that "At this moment they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an urgent emergency session of the Security Council.

The Colombian government, which recently joined the UNSC, said it would activate defense measures at its shared border with its neighbor.

Context

The alleged attacks follow a months-long pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan government. Since August, there has been a significant US military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking.

The administration has declared "the implementation of external threat" and ordered all national defence plans to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign attack."

The White House and the Defense Department did not immediately responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.