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Reports surfaced of multiple blasts and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. The incident has led to allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for global scrutiny.

Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action

Venezuela's incumbent regime has accused the United States of what it calls "imperial aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the South American state. In an public declaration, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.

"The primary goal of this attack is to seize control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its oil and resources," the statement declared.

Venezuelan officials called on the world to denounce the actions, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that put countless of civilians in peril.

Reports of Explosions and Military Bases Hit

Residents reported hearing approximately multiple detonations around 2 a.m. local time. Residents in various districts allegedly hurried into the streets.

"Everything shook. This is terrifying. We heard blasts and aircraft in the area," said one local.

Smoke was seen pouring from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside.

International Condemnation

The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, announced it would initiate security protocols at its border with its neighbor.

Context

The alleged attacks are preceded by a extended military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Since August, there has been a significant American military deployment off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking.

The government has declared "the implementation of emergency" and commanded all defense protocols to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to protest and "reject this imperialist attack."

American officials and the Defense Department did not promptly addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.