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Reports emerged of numerous explosions and the noise of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. This event has led to accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and calls for diplomatic action.

Caracas Accuses United States of Attack

Venezuela's incumbent government has blamed the Washington of an act of "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly directed strikes against the South American state. In an public announcement, the authorities stated that strikes had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.

"Our sole aim of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's key assets, in particular its petroleum and resources," the government declared.

Caracas appealed to the international community to censure the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of international law" that put millions of civilians in jeopardy.

Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted

Locals spoke of feeling roughly multiple detonations around 2:00 AM in the morning. Citizens in different districts reportedly hurried into the streets outside.

"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the area," commented one local.

Smoke was reported pouring from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside.

Regional Reaction

The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on X that "Right now they are striking Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He requested an immediate meeting of the Security Council.

Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate defense measures at its shared border with its neighbor.

Context

These reported strikes are preceded by a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan administration. Beginning in August, there has been a significant US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of airstrikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.

The administration has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all national defence plans to be initiated. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "repudiate this imperialist attack."

American officials and the Defense Department did not publicly responded to requests for a statement regarding the allegations.