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Reports circulated of numerous explosions and the noise of low-flying jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. This incident has led to allegations from Venezuela's leadership and calls for diplomatic intervention.

Caracas Blames United States of Aggression

Venezuela's incumbent regime has blamed the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the authorities stated that strikes had hit Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.

"The primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's key assets, especially its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement declared.

Caracas called on the global community to denounce the actions, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international law" that endangered countless of lives in peril.

Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit

Residents spoke of experiencing roughly several detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in various districts reportedly rushed into the streets outside.

"Everything shook. This is frightening. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the area," commented one local.

Smoke was observed rising from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a residence.

Global Response

The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with missiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.

Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, stated it would activate security plans at its frontier with its neighbor.

Preceding Events

The reported attacks follow a prolonged military buildup by the US against the Venezuelan administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a major American military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of strikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.

Venezuela's administration has announced "a state of external threat" and commanded all national defense measures to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to mobilize and "repudiate this foreign act."

American officials and the Pentagon did not publicly responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the reports.