🔗 Share this article Detonations and Low-Flying Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas Accounts circulated of several explosions and the sound of low-altitude aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. The situation has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for global action. Caracas Condemns Washington of Military Action The authoritarian administration has accused the United States of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the South American nation. In an public announcement, the government asserted that attacks had impacted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua. "The sole aim of this aggression is to take control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its petroleum and resources," the government asserted. Venezuelan officials appealed to the global community to condemn the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that put millions of lives in peril. Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted Eyewitnesses described hearing at least seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. Citizens in different areas allegedly ran into the streets. "Everything shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and aircraft in the distance," stated one local. Plumes of smoke was seen pouring from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence. International Response The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on X that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate operational plans at its border with Venezuela. Preceding Events The reported strikes come after a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels suspected of illegal activities. Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and directed all national defence protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to protest and "reject this external act." US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not immediately addressed requests for a statement regarding the events.