🔗 Share this article Blasts and Low-Altitude Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital Caracas City Reports emerged of numerous explosions and the noise of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This situation has prompted accusations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for diplomatic action. Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action The authoritarian regime has accused the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump reportedly ordered strikes against the Latin American country. In an formal declaration, the authorities asserted that strikes had hit the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state. "Our sole aim of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and minerals," the statement declared. Caracas appealed to the global community to condemn the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that put countless of civilians in danger. Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Targeted Locals spoke of experiencing at least seven explosions around 2 a.m. local time. People in various districts reportedly hurried into the streets outside. "The earth trembled. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and planes in the area," stated one witness. Smoke was reported billowing from two army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Maduro is thought to have a residence. Global Response The president of bordering Colombia, stated on social media that "Right now they are striking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an swift emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate defense protocols at its frontier with its neighbor. Preceding Events The alleged strikes come after a months-long pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan government. Since August, authorities reported a major US military deployment off the country's northern coast and a number of air strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking. Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all national defense protocols to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this imperialist aggression." The White House and the US Department of Defense did not promptly addressed requests for clarification regarding the allegations.