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Reports circulated of multiple blasts and the noise of low-flying planes in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. The incident has led to accusations from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for diplomatic intervention.

Venezuela Condemns Washington of Aggression

Venezuela's incumbent administration has condemned the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the Latin American state. In an public declaration, the government stated that attacks had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.

"Our primary goal of these strikes is to take control of our nation's key assets, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.

Caracas urged the international community to condemn the operations, which it labeled a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered numerous of civilians in peril.

Reports of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit

Eyewitnesses described experiencing roughly multiple powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in several neighborhoods reportedly hurried into the streets.

"Everything shook. It was horrible. We heard blasts and planes in the distance," stated one local.

Smoke was reported rising from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to live.

Global Reaction

The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.

Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate defense protocols at its border with Venezuela.

Preceding Events

These reported attacks come after a months-long campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro administration. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a significant US military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on boats accused of narco-trafficking.

The administration has declared "the implementation of external threat" and directed all defense protocols to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this external aggression."

The White House and the US Department of Defense did not immediately addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the events.