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Witness testimonies surfaced of multiple blasts and the roar of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This situation has led to claims from Venezuela's government and requests for diplomatic action.

Venezuela Accuses Washington of Aggression

Venezuela's incumbent government has blamed the US of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump allegedly directed strikes against the South American nation. In an formal announcement, the authorities stated that strikes had targeted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua.

"The sole aim of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement asserted.

Caracas urged the world to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that placed countless of civilians in peril.

Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted

Residents spoke of feeling roughly seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in several neighborhoods reportedly ran into the open.

"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," said one resident.

Black smoke was observed rising from major defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.

Global Reaction

The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on X that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an immediate emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, stated it would initiate operational measures at its shared border with Venezuela.

Preceding Events

These reported strikes come after a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on ships suspected of narco-trafficking.

Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of emergency" and ordered all national defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "denounce this external aggression."

American officials and the Pentagon did not publicly responded to inquiries for comment regarding the allegations.