🔗 Share this article Explosions and Low-Flying Planes Heard in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas Reports emerged of several explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday. The event has led to claims from the Venezuelan authorities and requests for diplomatic action. Venezuela Condemns Washington of Attack Venezuela's incumbent administration has condemned the United States of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized strikes against the Latin American state. In an formal announcement, the authorities asserted that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state. "Our primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's key assets, notably its crude oil and resources," Venezuela said. Caracas appealed to the global community to condemn the operations, which it termed a "clear infringement of international law" that endangered numerous of lives at risk in jeopardy. Reports of Explosions and Military Bases Hit Eyewitnesses described experiencing at least multiple explosions around the middle of the night local time. Residents in different areas allegedly rushed into the streets. "Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the area," said one resident. Black smoke was reported pouring from two defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence. Regional Reaction The leader of neighboring Colombia, claimed on X that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He called for an swift emergency session of the UN Security Council. The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, stated it would initiate operational plans at its shared border with its neighbor. Context These reported attacks follow a extended military buildup by the United States against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a major American military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of air strikes on ships suspected of illegal activities. Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of emergency" and directed all national defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "reject this imperialist act." US authorities and the Defense Department have not publicly addressed requests for clarification regarding the events.