🔗 Share this article Detonations and Low-Flying Planes Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital Caracas Reports surfaced of numerous blasts and the roar of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday. This incident has led to allegations from the Venezuelan government and requests for global intervention. Caracas Accuses United States of Attack The incumbent government has blamed the United States of committing "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly directed military strikes against the South American nation. In an formal announcement, the authorities stated that strikes had targeted Caracas and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua. "Our primary goal of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, notably its crude oil and minerals," Venezuela asserted. The government appealed to the global community to denounce the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed millions of lives in peril. Accounts of Blasts and Defense Sites Hit Residents spoke of experiencing approximately multiple explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in different districts allegedly rushed into the open. "Everything shook. This is terrifying. We experienced explosions and planes in the distance," said one resident. Plumes of smoke was observed billowing from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside. Global Reaction The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on social media that "Right now they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the Security Council. The Colombian government, which just joined the UNSC, said it would initiate defense measures at its shared border with Venezuela. Context The reported strikes come after a extended military buildup by the US against the Maduro administration. Since last summer, there has been a major American military presence off the country's northern coast and a series of air strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking. Venezuela's government has announced "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its political forces to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign act." US authorities and the US Department of Defense did not publicly commented on inquiries for clarification regarding the events.