🔗 Share this article Blasts and Low-Altitude Jets Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City Accounts circulated of numerous blasts and the sound of low-flying planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This incident has sparked accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and requests for global intervention. Caracas Accuses United States of Aggression The authoritarian administration has condemned the United States of what it calls "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly directed strikes against the Latin American country. In an official statement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had impacted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state. "Our sole aim of this aggression is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, especially its petroleum and resources," the government asserted. Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed countless of civilians in jeopardy. Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit Eyewitnesses reported hearing roughly multiple explosions around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in different neighborhoods allegedly rushed into the open. "The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," stated one resident. Smoke was reported rising from key army bases in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside. Regional Condemnation The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "At this moment they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, announced it would activate security protocols at its border with its neighbor. Background These alleged strikes are preceded by a prolonged military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Since August, authorities reported a substantial American military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on boats linked to narco-trafficking. Venezuela's government has declared "a state of external threat" and ordered all national defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this external attack." American officials and the US Department of Defense have not promptly addressed inquiries for clarification regarding the allegations.