🔗 Share this article Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital Caracas Witness testimonies emerged of several blasts and the sound of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. This incident has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and demands for global intervention. Caracas Accuses United States of Aggression The socialist government has condemned the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the South American state. In an formal announcement, the authorities asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua state. "The primary goal of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the government declared. Caracas called on the world to censure the operations, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that endangered numerous of lives in danger. Reports of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing roughly seven explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Citizens in different districts allegedly hurried into the open. "Everything shook. This is terrifying. We experienced blasts and jets in the distance," commented one local. Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Maduro is reported to reside. Regional Reaction The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on social media that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an swift meeting of the Security Council. Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate security plans at its border with Venezuela. Context The reported strikes come after a months-long military buildup by the US against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a significant American military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on ships accused of illegal activities. The administration has stated "a state of emergency" and ordered all national defense plans to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this external act." The White House and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.