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Witness testimonies circulated of multiple blasts and the noise of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. This situation has sparked allegations from Venezuela's authorities and demands for diplomatic scrutiny.

Caracas Blames Washington of Aggression

Venezuela's socialist administration has blamed the United States of committing "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly authorized strikes against the South American nation. In an official declaration, the authorities asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.

"Our only objective of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, especially its petroleum and minerals," the statement declared.

Venezuelan officials urged the world to censure the actions, which it termed a "flagrant violation of global law" that placed numerous of lives in danger.

Reports of Explosions and Defense Sites Targeted

Locals spoke of feeling roughly multiple detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in various districts allegedly ran into the open.

"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," commented one witness.

Black smoke was seen pouring from key defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.

International Response

The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "Currently they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The Colombian government, which recently joined the UNSC, announced it would initiate operational protocols at its frontier with Venezuela.

Context

The reported strikes follow a extended military buildup by the United States against the Maduro government. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial naval buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on boats linked to drug trafficking.

Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external threat" and directed all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its supporters to protest and "reject this foreign attack."

The White House and the Defense Department have not immediately addressed requests for comment regarding the events.