Detonations and Low-Flying Jets Witnessed in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City

Reports emerged of several detonations and the sound of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This event has prompted accusations from the Venezuelan authorities and requests for international intervention.

Venezuela Condemns United States of Attack

Venezuela's authoritarian administration has accused the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized military strikes against the South American state. In an official announcement, the government stated that strikes had impacted Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.

"Our only objective of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's key assets, in particular its petroleum and minerals," Venezuela said.

Venezuelan officials appealed to the international community to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "flagrant violation of international law" that endangered countless of civilians in jeopardy.

Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Targeted

Residents described experiencing roughly seven explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in several districts allegedly rushed into the open.

"The earth trembled. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and planes in the distance," said one witness.

Plumes of smoke was seen rising from two army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.

Regional Response

The president of neighboring Colombia, wrote on social media that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

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

Preceding Events

These alleged strikes come after a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, authorities reported a major naval presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on ships linked to narco-trafficking.

The government has declared "the implementation of external threat" and commanded all national defence measures to be activated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "reject this external act."

US authorities and the Defense Department did not promptly addressed requests for comment regarding the events.